Punjab, Hunan Explore New Trade and Investment Opportunities
Punjab Minister for Industries, Commerce and Investment Chaudhry Shafay Hussain has identified promising new avenues for cooperation between Punjab and China's Hunan province across agriculture, mineral development, manufacturing, trade, and investment sectors.
Addressing the "Hunan Enterprises Going Global: Investment Cooperation Matchmaking Conference" in Changsha, Shafay Hussain emphasised that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) could serve as an effective platform for Hunan enterprises seeking investment and business opportunities in Pakistan, according to a report by China Economic Net (CEN).
The conference convened more than 120 government and business representatives from nearly 20 countries and regions, alongside representatives from over 150 Hunan enterprises, to explore opportunities for international industrial capacity cooperation and enhanced economic opening-up. The matchmaking conference formed part of the 2026 Hunan International Friendship Cities Economic and Trade Exchange Event and Cooperation Dialogue, held in Changsha from September 18 to 20 under the theme "Friendship Cities Empower the New Economy, Charting the Future of Business Cooperation."
A significant outcome of the event was the formal signing of a letter of intent for a sister-city partnership between Loudi City in Hunan and Gujrat in Punjab. Shafay Hussain represented the Pakistani side at the signing ceremony.
The Punjab minister noted that the visit marked his sixth to China during his two-year tenure, adding that he had been actively exploring opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment while visiting factories to invite Chinese companies to invest in Punjab and establish manufacturing plants.
He highlighted that Punjab, which accounts for approximately 60 percent of Pakistan's population, offers substantial investment opportunities in livestock, tourism, surgical instruments, fan manufacturing, ceramics, and handicrafts. Shafay Hussain extended an invitation to Hunan enterprises to invest in Punjab and establish manufacturing operations in the province.
Hunan's expanding overseas investment activity was also spotlighted at the conference. According to provincial figures, Hunan enterprises have invested in 115 countries and regions, with overseas assets exceeding $17 billion. The province has developed eight major areas of strength in outbound investment and international cooperation, including agriculture, construction machinery, rail transit, energy and power, biomedicine, light manufacturing, mineral resource development, and infrastructure construction.
Officials and business representatives observed that Punjab's industrial and agricultural needs, combined with the CPEC framework and the newly formalised sister-city relationship, could create significant opportunities for cooperation in manufacturing, agricultural machinery, and related sectors. During a dedicated matchmaking session, Pakistani and other international government and business representatives held discussions with Hunan companies on potential collaboration in construction machinery, rail transit, energy and power, biomedicine, and infrastructure development.
The event provided a valuable platform for Pakistani and Chinese businesses to explore practical avenues for expanding trade, investment, and industrial cooperation between Punjab and Hunan, setting the stage for deeper economic ties between the two regions.