Pakistan’s Board of Investment (BOI) today held high-level discussions with representatives of The Silicon Village and China’s Sino British Regional Development Fund Management Co. Ltd. to explore investment opportunities in technology, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and strategic industries, as the government stepped up efforts to attract foreign investment.
Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh met the delegation, which included Brigadier Abid Cheema, Chief Executive Officer of The Silicon Village-Pakistan’s largest tax-free technology park-and David Dai, Executive Director of Sino British Regional Development Fund Management Co. Ltd. Senior BOI officials, including Additional Secretary Erfa Iqbal, Director General Mehmood Tufail, and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on China Zafaruddin, also attended the meeting.
The minister welcomed the delegation and appreciated its interest in exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan. The visitors thanked him for dedicating time to discuss potential areas of collaboration and future partnerships.
During the meeting, David Dai outlined his decades of experience in facilitating technology transfer, initially from the United States to China and more recently from China to other regions. He said Pakistan possessed strong potential in emerging technology sectors, including computer chip packaging, semiconductors, green-energy charging technologies, and advanced manufacturing and research.
Brigadier Abid Cheema briefed the minister on developments at The Silicon Village, including the establishment of Pakistan’s first tax-free technology zone and the country’s first AI-powered data centre. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh described the initiatives as landmark achievements for Pakistan’s evolving technology sector.
Dai said his company, which operates a technology park in China, was considering developing sister technology parks in partnership with The Silicon Village in Pakistan. He added that Chinese investors had shown strong interest in lithium-based technologies and potential investments in southern Pakistan, particularly Karachi, as well as the Pakistan Steel Mills.
The minister informed the delegation that Pakistan was holding discussions with Russia regarding Pakistan Steel Mills and invited the investors to visit Karachi to assess investment opportunities firsthand. He also highlighted the recent discovery of iron ore reserves in Chiniot, describing it as evidence of the country’s vast untapped mineral resources.
Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh outlined incentives available under Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs), including a nine-year income tax exemption and zero customs duty on imported machinery. He said the government, under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, was actively encouraging joint ventures, citing recent engagements with China and the signing of multiple memorandums of understanding.
Additional Secretary Erfa Iqbal welcomed the delegation’s interest, saying such partnerships were essential for sustainable economic growth. She added that ministries across the government were pursuing progressive policies in sectors such as solar energy and electric vehicles to further improve Pakistan’s investment climate.
The minister assured the delegation of the BOI’s full support in facilitating investors and addressing both regulatory and operational issues. Zafaruddin said the prime minister was keen to expand joint ventures with Chinese companies and strengthen business-to-business partnerships, encouraging the delegation to share its investment priorities with the BOI for targeted facilitation.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to deepening cooperation, promoting technology transfer, and advancing strategic partnerships aimed at supporting Pakistan’s long-term economic development. The BOI reiterated its commitment to facilitating investors and promoting Pakistan as a leading destination for foreign investment.