Pakistan is set to enhance its economic collaboration with China through the newly inaugurated Belt and Road Economic and Trade Center (BRETC) in Changshu City, Jiangsu Province. This initiative aims to provide a comprehensive platform for joint ventures, trade facilitation, and cultural exchanges between China and its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partners.
Moin Ul Haque, former Pakistani ambassador to China and BRETC adviser, highlighted the center’s role in offering a “one-stop solution” for business connectivity and international trade. The facility will support BRI member countries by providing free office space for three years, legal assistance, and dedicated display zones to showcase their industries.
Ibrahim Munir, chairman of IBI International Group and the driving force behind BRETC, emphasized Changshu’s strategic location. The city’s proximity to major ports like Changshu, Suzhou, and Shanghai, combined with its diverse industrial base—including textiles, solar manufacturing, and biotechnology—makes it an ideal hub for international business operations.
BRETC’s objectives include facilitating bilateral trade, supply chain management, and providing financing services for both business-to-business and business-to-government engagements. The center aims to connect with over 30 countries, having already engaged with more than 20 to discuss future collaborations.