BEIJING: East China's Shandong province that reported strong economic growth in the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-15) has announced its foreign development plan that included setting up an industrial park in Pakistan.

The province’s Governor Guo Shuqing, who is here to attend the o going National People's Congress’s session said they will be coming up with heavy investment in Pakistan during next five year. “ We attach great to our relations with Pakistan, ”, he added.

According to the Chinese media’s reports, Shandong's GDP reached $962 billion last year. The average annual growth rate over the five years was 9.4 percent.

Shandong currently has 13 national high-tech industrial zones, 1,427 provincial-level or above company-owned technology centers and 35 engineering research centers.

According to statistics from the Shandong provincial department of commerce, China built 13 State-level overseas economic and trade cooperation zones by the end of the year, three of which are backed by Shandong.

More than 6,800 foreign-invested projects were launched in Shandong in the past five years. The province's total used foreign capital was $69.1 billion, about 1.5 times more than the previous five years. Shandong is looking for a pioneer role on the international stage by seizing the opportunities associated with the Belt and Road Initiative.

The Chinese government's action plan on building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road released last year listed Shandong's two coastal cities, Yantaiand Qingdao, among 15 key Chinese cities along the Belt and Road.

Last year Shandong signed $6.14 billion in contracts with countries along the Belt and Road, according to the provincial department of commerce.