ISLAMABAD - Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar has said that the government is laying the foundations of a strong pro-business environment through national infrastructure projects which will stimulate further growth of the economy.

He was talking to a delegation of senior officials of Bank of China led by its chairman Tian Guoli, which called on him in Islamabad on Wednesday.

Chairman BOC apprised the finance minister that he had witnessed the potential of Pakistan’s economy during his current three-day visit and commended the government on the difficult steps taken to improve Pakistan’s economic outlook on both the domestic and international fora.

He said that the reforms undertaken by the government were deep rooted and expressed full support from Bank of China to collaborate with the government of Pakistan to achieve further success and milestones in its economic reform agenda.

He added that various Chinese companies were exploring opportunities to move their manufacturing to Pakistan.

Finance minister appreciated the Bank’s interest in business opportunities in Pakistan. He said that Bank of China being one of world’s five largest banks was well positioned to bring investment to Pakistan.

Further, he appraised the delegation on the incentives which can be made available through Special Economic Zones.

Finance minister welcomed the initiative of opening a Bank of China branch in Pakistan and assured full support from the government in this regard. He expressed hope that this initiative will likely motivate more Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan directly.

SAPM on Revenue, Secretary Finance, Secretary EAD and senior officials of Ministry of Finance attended the meeting.