Chinese companies play important role in Pakistani economy: PM

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday that Chinese companies are playing an important role in the country's economy by contributing in revenue and creating job opportunities.

The prime minister expressed the views during a briefing to senior media persons of the country at the prime minister office in Islamabad, saying that the Chinese companies are providing thousands of new jobs to locals by establishing new industries and making investments in different sectors.

He briefed his recent visit to a factory of the Chinese automobile company Forland in the eastern city of Lahore and said the company has employed 8,000 workers directly and has been creating indirect jobs for 40,000 others.

The prime minister said foreign investment especially from China would bring the country out of economic difficulties and the government is trying its best to facilitate investors by promoting ease of doing business culture.

He also told the reporters that his government is in talks with the Chinese side to seek help in the agricultural sector.

"During the last couple of decades, China has successfully increased per hector yield by three times. Now, we want them to help us by transferring their technology and expertise to Pakistan," said the prime minister, "if we succeed in at least doubling our yield, it will revolutionize our economy as well as ensure food security."