The Board of Investment (BOI) has termed the successful convening of the Pakistan–China Agriculture Investment Conference (PCAIC) in Islamabad a significant milestone in advancing agricultural cooperation and investment facilitation under CPEC Phase II, with a strong focus on technology transfer, value-chain development, and export-led growth.
Held at Serena Hotel, Islamabad, the conference brought together senior government officials, Chinese and Pakistani investors, agribusiness leaders, multinational firms, and sector experts to explore more than USD 1.345 billion worth of investment opportunities across Pakistan’s agriculture and allied sectors. The event underscored Pakistan’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment and promoting public–private partnerships in priority sectors.
The conference was graced by Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif as Chief Guest, while Jiang Zaidong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan, attended as Guest of Honour, reflecting the strategic depth of Pakistan–China economic cooperation.
From an investment facilitation perspective, Additional Secretary Board of Investment Dr. Erfa Iqbal briefed participants on BOI’s central role in promoting Pakistan as a competitive investment destination. She highlighted ongoing policy and regulatory reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business, streamlining approvals, and supporting foreign investors across sectors.
Dr. Erfa Iqbal also underlined the strategic importance of CPEC-related projects and shared outcomes of the 2nd Pakistan–China B2B Investment Conference, which resulted in memorandums of understanding and joint ventures valued at USD 9.9 billion across priority sectors, including agriculture, industry, and technology.
The PCAIC featured detailed investment presentations and sectoral briefings by relevant ministries, regulators, industrial developers, and business associations, followed by structured B2B matchmaking sessions supported by Chinese interpreters. Exhibitions and pitchbook showcases highlighted Pakistan’s agricultural strengths, bankable projects, and investment-ready value chains, leading to the signing of multiple MoUs and joint ventures.
To demonstrate coordinated investment facilitation, dedicated booths were set up by federal and provincial institutions, including the Board of Investment, Special Investment Facilitation Council, Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation, Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, and provincial Boards of Investment and Trade, along with agriculture departments and Pakistani and Chinese business associations. These platforms enabled investors to directly engage with stakeholders and access facilitation services under one roof.
Priority sectors highlighted during the conference included agri-inputs and chemicals, food processing and value addition, meat and dairy, fruits and vegetables, fisheries and aquaculture, cold-chain logistics, smart irrigation, and precision agriculture technologies.
The Board of Investment views the PCAIC as a catalyst for increasing Chinese foreign direct investment in Pakistan’s agriculture sector, promoting joint ventures based on technology and capital partnerships, and strengthening industrial cooperation under CPEC Phase II.
Under the leadership of Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, BOI reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating foreign investment in priority sectors, including agriculture, under CPEC Phase II. The Board said it would continue working closely with federal and provincial stakeholders to translate investment interest generated through platforms such as PCAIC into bankable projects, joint ventures, and sustainable economic growth.
