Draft Vote of Thanks by the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister (time: 3 minutes)

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Distinguished Friends from Pakistan and China,

Good Morning and Dajia Hao,

It is my great pleasure to make these concluding remarks at the end of today's China- Pakistan Business Conference.

First and foremost, I must say that an overwhelming participation of leading Chinese companies and Pakistani businessmen, who flew all the way from different parts of China and Pakistan, demonstrates the huge success of today's congregation.

Let me also add here that as we are embarking on a new path of Pakistan's economic revitalization and industrialization, there could have been no other city in China more suited to host this event than Shenzhen. It has transformed itself from a small fishermen's village to today's technological hub of not only China but the entire world.

This great city of Shenzhen is closely associated with China's reformist leader Mr. Deng Xiaoping (pronounced: Dang Shiao Ping). At the eve of China's Reform and Opening Up in 1978, Mr. Deng once remarked to ‘Seek Truth from the Facts'.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

After having attended today's conference and witnessing your enthusiasm, I must say that we have already taken the first step towards upgrading CPEC through industrial transformation of Pakistan.

The 13 sectors, which have been highlighted in great detail today, provide a blueprint that shows us the path ahead by emphasizing those critical areas where Pakistan offers its comparative advantages to you for establishing manufacturing hubs in the Special Economic Zones.

Our cheap labor, capable human resource, strategic location and business-friendly policies offer you the required conducive environment for efficient and effective transfer to Pakistan of labor-intensive industries in these 13 sectors.

At a time when certain forces, based on their divisive ideological approaches are undermining free and fair flow of trade, investment, knowledge, resource and technology,

Pakistan is a gateway for Chinese companies, offering a new launch-pad in an era of barriers and sanctions.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our iron-clad friendship further catalyzes this transfer of Chinese industries to Pakistan, serving as a guarantee that both technology and capital will not only be safe but will be utilized for the benefit of our peoples in China and Pakistan.

At the same time, it will offer enhanced access to the products manufactured in Pakistan, which has free trade agreements with Gulf countries and European markets.

Let us join hands and take the next steps. The matchmaking that you are doing today should be followed up actively and rigorously, and must translate, in a short span of time, into concrete joint ventures. The new manufacturing hubs will introduce a new reality into the global economic world, showcasing the Pakistan-China All Weather Strategic Partnership heralding a new dawn.

I would, therefore, request you to explore Pakistan for trade and investment; you would find the truths of win-win cooperation, profitability, and new and brighter vistas for business and commerce!

I thank you all!