AdSense Advertisement

Pakistan, China Sign 79 Investment Agreements Worth $4.5 Billion

By Imran Nasir

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan and China have signed 79 investment agreements valued at approximately $4.5 billion in agriculture and food-related sectors, marking one of the largest foreign investment commitments in Pakistan’s farm economy, officials said on Thursday.

The deals aim to create jobs, enhance productivity, and strengthen food supply chains across the country, according to the Economic Affairs Ministry officials.

The agreements, formalized through Memoranda of Understanding, cover ten major areas, including food processing, farm technology, seeds, livestock and dairy, meat and poultry, fruits and vegetables, fisheries, animal feed, post-harvest storage, and agricultural inputs.

Officials said the focus will be on modern farming practices, value addition, and expanding processing capacity nationwide.

“This partnership will support economic growth, boost exports of processed food and agricultural products, and reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imports,” said a senior government official. “Stronger local industries will enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness in regional and global markets.”

The agreements further reinforce Pakistan and China’s status as strategic and “ironclad” partners. China is already engaged in the $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship Belt and Road Initiative project connecting China’s Xinjiang region with Pakistan’s strategic Gwadar port through a network of rail, road, and energy infrastructure.

The new agriculture investment is expected to complement CPEC’s broader economic impact by fostering industrial growth and rural development.

In addition to the Chinese investment, Pakistan also signed $603 million in loan agreements with the Islamic Development Bank to support infrastructure and development initiatives.

The combined inflows are expected to strengthen Pakistan’s economic resilience, create new employment opportunities, and accelerate the country’s integration into regional trade and investment networks.