Beijing - Around 200 heads and representatives of Chinese companies participated in a road-show held here and showed their keen interest in investment opportunities offered by government of Punjab province of Pakistan in solid waste management program in urban and rural areas.

The road-show jointly organized by the Punjab government and Pakistan Embassy in Beijing was attended by Punjab Minister for Local Government, Khawaja Manshaullah Butt, technical experts and senior officials of the Punjab government.

The technical team briefed the participants about investment opportunities in solid waste collection and transportation, landfill constructions and operation management, waste to energy projects and hospital waste management projects in Punjab.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister invited the Chinese entrepreneurs to come forward for investment and take advantage of investment-friendly policies and peaceful environment in Punjab province.

Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif is committed to ensure transparency and merit in all the projects being completed in the province, he added.

He said under the cleaner city policy, the municipal solid waste management system will be improved and expanded in the urban and rural areas in the province.

The minister said the long term cooperation between Pakistan and the Chinese companies will provide an opportunity to learn new expertise and experience for better management of solid waste.

“The Punjab government will provide full support and facilitation to the companies that would invest in the proposed projects,” the minister assured.

In his welcome address, Pakistan Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid briefed the Chinese businessmen about the investment opportunities in different sectors and asked them to take part in development drive launched by Punjab government for the mutual benefit of people of the two countries.

He said the participation of such a large number of companies in the road-show is manifestation of market potential in Pakistan and the longstanding Pak-China deep rooted friendship.

Terming the launch of urban and rural waste management plan a right step towards ensuring a green and friendly environment, he said the Punjab province has abundant natural and human resources and the Chinese businessmen should take benefit of these opportunities.

The Ambassador said more than 19,000 Chinese are already working in different projects under safe and friendly environment. "Chinese workers are already in Pakistan to carry out work on China Pakistan Economic Corridor which is a flagship project of One Belt One Road," the ambassador said.

The participants were informed the provincial government has allocated Rs.15 billion in the budget for the current financial year to extend solid waste management program to five big cities, 25 smaller cities in Lahore Division and 194 cities across the Punjab province.

Under the cleaner city plan, the concerned institutions have been reformed and waste management companies have been formulated in major cities of Punjab.

The department responsible for solid waste management in Lahore District has recently expanded its scope to the adjoining districts of Kasur, Sheikhupura and Nankana Sahib.

The investors have been invited in collection and transportation of municipal solid waste from designated collection points to disposal sites in the three news districts.