By Commerce Reporter
LAHORE — The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) warmly congratulates the peoples and governments of Pakistan and China on the historic occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the two brotherly nations. This landmark milestone celebrates 75 years of unwavering trust, selfless friendship, and mutually beneficial cooperation that has been the hallmark of Pakistan-China relations.
Speaking on this momentous occasion, Tanveer A Sheikh, the Senior Vice President of LCCI stated: “Pakistan and China share a bond that transcends ordinary diplomatic ties. For 75 years, this friendship has been tested by time and strengthened through every challenge. The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry is proud to stand as a bridge between the business communities of both nations, and we reaffirm our commitment to deepening economic partnerships that bring prosperity to our people.”
The SVP LCCI highlighted that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) stands as the most transformative expression of this enduring friendship. Under CPEC Phase-II, he emphasized the critical need to accelerate investment in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), industrial cooperation, and human capital development. He called upon both governments to expedite the operationalization of SEZs in Punjab, including the Allama Iqbal Industrial City, to enable Pakistani businesses to integrate into Chinese and global value chains.
The Senior Vice President further underscored the importance of industry-academia collaboration under CPEC as a cornerstone of sustainable development. He stressed that meaningful skill transfer and technology exchange — through mechanisms such as Industry-Academia Consortia, Dual-Training Apprenticeships, and Faculty Exchange Programmes — are essential to building a future-ready Pakistani workforce capable of meeting the demands of an increasingly knowledge-driven economy.
The LCCI SVP also drew attention to the need to address the persistent trade imbalance between Pakistan and China. He called upon both governments to facilitate greater market access for Pakistani goods in China, particularly in the agriculture, textile, pharmaceutical, and information technology sectors. He expressed confidence that balanced bilateral trade would further strengthen the economic foundation of this historic partnership.
Concluding his remarks, the SVP LCCI reiterated the Chamber’s steadfast support for all initiatives that deepen Pakistan-China economic and people-to-people relations. He expressed the collective resolve of Lahore’s business community to play an active role in realizing the shared vision of a prosperous and connected future under the framework of CPEC and the broader Belt and Road Initiative.
