ISLAMABAD ( DI NEWS) : The Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) hosted a focused group discussion titled “Enhancing B2B Collaboration Between Pakistan and China Under CPEC 2.0.” The event convened businesspersons, policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to chart pathways for deepening business-to-business ties under the second phase of the China‑Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Ms. Nabila Jaffer, Lead Research Analyst in the China Program at IRS, opened the discussion with an overview of CPEC 2.0’s emphasis on sectoral B2B strategies and private‑sector leadership to harness connectivity assets for productivity.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, welcomed participants by noting that while Phase 1 delivered vital infrastructure, phase 2 must now pivot to industrialization, knowledge and technology transfer, and proactive measures to address security and political stability risks. He underscored China’s pursuit of “high-quality development” through AI, digital innovation, and green biotechnology, and stressed that the focus of CPEC 2.0 on a business-to-business framework is vital for generating millions of jobs for Pakistan’s young workforce.
Building on the President’s call to pivot CPEC 2.0 from G2G infrastructure to B2B‑led growth, Dr. Erfa Iqbal, EDG-II Board of Investment and chair of the Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Working Group on CPEC, added that as the only bilateral corridor under China’s Belt & Road Initiative, CPEC has already delivered in power sector, modern transport links and Special Economic Zones (SEZS) foundations. She noted that while Phase 1 laid the groundwork, Phase 2 must seize China’s shift from state owned enterprises, labour-intensive to robust private‑sector, capital‑intensive industries. This requires research institutes to map which sectors China (and even Vietnam) are offshoring, evaluate Pakistan’s comparative advantages, and roll out targeted skill‑development programmes, turning physical assets into sustainable industrial clusters and unlocking millions of jobs for Pakistan’s youthful workforce.
Talking about the industrialization roadmap, Mr. Zafar Bakhtawri, a prominent business figure warned that political volatility and rising terrorism have trailed every advance of CPEC, and he called for integrated counter‑terror strategies to safeguard projects. He pointed out that the current tariff war, while challenging, also opens a window for Pakistan to attract industries relocating from China. He also recommended that research bodies like the Institute of Regional Studies continuously monitor regional dynamics, so Pakistan’s policy responses can keep pace with rapidly shifting geopolitical and economic realities.
Mr. Wang Qi, President Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce and Chief Representative Beijing Mineral Technology Company, showed concerns that none of Pakistan’s top 20 business groups or their leaders maintain substantive ties with China, nor do they pursue education there, limiting capital and expertise exchange. He urged Islamabad to forge direct province‑to‑province links and to establish direct flights and dedicated provincial liaisons rather than relying solely on Beijing. To bolster trust and efficiency, he recommended that Pakistan compile vetted lists of reliable local partners and offer affordable rental schemes for bulletproof vehicles, addressing Chinese investors’ security concerns. Finally, he called on Pakistani media to balance political coverage with regular features on technology, economy, and trade to raise business awareness.
Moreover, Dr. Hassan Daud Butt, former CEO of KP-BOIT and Associate Professor at Bahria University, urged Pakistan to raise its investment rate from 13.1% of GDP toward peer levels by dismantling regulatory bottlenecks and marketing its competitive strengths in dairy, forage and salt. Butt praised the formation of the SIFC and DOI but cautioned that global conflicts could shave 2% off Pakistan’s GDP unless inward investment is prioritized. Drawing on lessons from India and China’s tariff preparedness since 2018, he recommended starting with a flagship SEZ under clear preferential policies, establishing China business desks in all chambers of commerce and deploying a focused marketing and media strategy around Pakistan’s export niches to secure sustainable B2B growth under CPEC 2.0.
Mr. Zeeshan Ahmad, CEO SkyElectric, proposed that CPEC 2.0 be recast as a hub for venture capital and startups, especially in AI, IoT and blockchain, transforming SEZs into matchmaking platforms for Sino‑Pak joint ventures rather than purely government‑led schemes. He urged the creation of tech and startup centers, streamlined policies for ease of doing business, stronger leadership connectivity between Pakistani and Chinese entrepreneurs and clearer, more effective arbitration processes.
Ms. Haneea Isaad, energy finance specialist, explored the critical link between energy and industrial growth, noting that Pakistan’s industrial stagnation over the past five to six years is largely due to the high cost and inefficiency of power generation. She explained that while large coal and LNG-based plants addressed previous energy deficits, the country now faces significant overcapacity, with many plants operating below 15 percent utilization. This mismatch, driven by rigid contracts and reliance on imported fuels, has hurt industrial competitiveness, particularly in sectors like textiles.
The session concluded with a shared commitment to empower Pakistan’s private sector, leverage its young workforce, and establish clear B2B frameworks to realize CPEC 2.0’s promise of sustainable, knowledge‑driven growth.
