The Board of Investment (BOI) has termed the successful convening of the Pakistan–China Agriculture Investment Conference (PCAIC) in Islamabad as 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 USD 1.345+ billion worth of investment opportunities across Pakistan’s agriculture and allied sectors. The event underscored Pakistan’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment and fostering public–private partnerships in priority sectors.
The conference was graced by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, as Chief Guest, while H.E. Mr. 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 the 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 BOI’s ongoing policy and regulatory reforms aimed at improving the 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 MoUs and Joint Ventures valued at USD 9.9 billion across priority sectors, including agriculture, industry, and technology.
The PCAIC featured detailed investment presentations, sectoral briefings by relevant ministries, regulators, industrial developers, and business associations, followed by structured B2B matchmaking sessions with Chinese interpreter support. 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 established by federal and provincial institutions, including *BOI, SIFC, PIDC, TDAP, and provincial Boards of Investment & Trade, alongside agriculture departments and Pakistani and Chinese business associations*. These platforms enabled investors to directly engage with stakeholders, explore sector-specific opportunities, and access facilitation services under one roof.
The 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 (FDI) in Pakistan’s agriculture sector, promoting joint ventures based on technology and capital partnerships, and strengthening industrial cooperation under CPEC Phase II. The conference reflects Pakistan’s broader strategy to modernize agricultural supply chains, enhance export competitiveness, and integrate more deeply into regional and global value chains through sustained Pakistan–China collaboration.
Under the leadership of Federal Minister for BOI, Mr. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, BOI remains fully committed to facilitate foreign investments in priority sectors, including agriculture, under CPEC Phase II. Board of Investment will continue to work 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.
