Chinese truck maker geared up to enter Pakistan

KARACHI: Chinese automaker Sinotruck, has expressed interest in setting up a production plant for trucks in Pakistan, a statement issued by Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) divulged on Friday. 

“We also want to be involved in successful businesses with Pakistan for years to come,”  Wang Haotao, a representative of Sinotruck, told a meeting with the PAAPAM top brass.  While discussing possible future ventures between the two countries, the Sinotruck official, who is leading a ten-member delegation to Pakistan, added that his side was giving a serious consideration to utilising Pakistani expertise and labour. 

Mashood Ali Khan, chairman PAAPAM, and other senior members of the trade body briefed their Chinese counterparts about the technologies, resources, and the expertise of Pakistani truck and their auto parts’ manufacturers. 

“We seek closer collaboration with Chinese auto and parts makers to help our economy achieve unprecedented levels of production,” said Khan.  He also filled in the visitors on the growing auto industry of Pakistan, and how it was already heavily involved in the production of motorcycles, cars, buses, and trucks, and in the production and assembling of their auto parts. 

It must be noted that representatives from Dysin Automobiles Pakistan were also present on the occasion. Meanwhile, PAAPAM also hosted a visit by a high-ranking Iranian delegation led Hamid Raza Nezarati Zadeh, Commercial and Economic Consular of Islamic Republic of Iran.

In addition to discussing the development of possible trade links, both sides joined heads to create a liaison between Iranian Auto-Parts Manufacturers Association and their Pakistani counterpart for mutual trade benefits. 

Speaking on the occasion, chairman PAAPAM announced a delegation of Pakistani accessories and parts manufacturers would soon travel to Iran to enhance cooperation in auto-engineering.