Staff Reporter
Karachi: The economic landscape of Sindh received a major boost as Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah hosted His Royal Highness Prince Mansoor Bin Mohammad Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi-Pak Joint Business Council, and a 30-member Saudi business delegation at the Chief Minister’s House on Thursday.
The visit marked a significant step in expanding Saudi-Pakistan economic cooperation, underscoring the deep-rooted partnership and shared vision for regional prosperity.
Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah reaffirmed Sindh’s commitment to fostering long-term economic collaboration, inviting Saudi investment in key sectors including agriculture, livestock, minerals and mining, infrastructure, energy, and food security. He highlighted Sindh’s pioneering Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, which has delivered several landmark projects in both infrastructure and social development.
Shah also emphasized the importance of Government-to-Business (G2B) and Business-to-Business (B2B) partnerships in driving innovation, technology transfer, and sustainable growth. Both sides agreed to establish joint working groups in priority sectors to ensure focused progress and follow-up on investment commitments.
Saudi delegation signals new investment phase
Prince Mansoor Bin Mohammad Al Saud praised the Sindh government’s hospitality and recognized Karachi and Sindh as promising investment destinations. He announced plans to establish sector-specific subcommittees to identify and accelerate Saudi investments in Pakistan, describing the engagement as the start of a “new era of economic cooperation.”
“Pakistan serves as the gateway for trade across the entire region and holds immense potential for tourism and industrial expansion,” Prince Mansoor said. “We have brought investors from every sector, and they are ready to invest here. Pakistan’s privatization process also presents great opportunities for Saudi investors.”
He reaffirmed the Saudi commitment to strengthening economic, energy, and infrastructure partnerships, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030 and Pakistan’s development objectives.
Showcasing Sindh’s economic potential
The Saudi delegation was given a detailed presentation on Sindh’s investment landscape, highlighting its role as Pakistan’s economic powerhouse, home to nearly 60 million people and a major contributor to national GDP and tax revenue.
Sindh’s natural strengths in energy (coal, wind, solar, and gas), agriculture, industrial zones, logistics, and eco-tourism were showcased. Successful PPP projects — such as those involving World Bank, ADB, Shanghai Electric, Engro, and McKinsey — were cited as examples of Sindh’s investment-friendly ecosystem.
The province currently boasts an investment portfolio exceeding $5 billion, with opportunities in technology, water management, infrastructure, and hospitality. Key projects presented included:
- Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company – Pakistan’s first open-pit lignite mine
- Sino Sindh Resources Limited (Thar Block-I) coal mining project
- Nabisar–Vajihar Water Supply Project
- NED Technology Park
- Tourism developments: Hawks Bay Beach Resort and Keenjhar Lake Resort
Chief Minister Shah reaffirmed that the provincial government is simplifying investment procedures, digitizing land records, and ensuring end-to-end investor support through coordination with federal agencies.
MoUs strengthen energy collaboration
Two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the meeting, reflecting growing international investor confidence in Pakistan’s energy market.
- The first MoU pertains to the sale and purchase of shares in KES Power Ltd, the holding company of K-Electric.
- The second MoU was signed between K-Electric Limited and Trident Energy Ltd, focusing on strategic cooperation and investment opportunities in Pakistan’s power sector.
These agreements mark significant progress toward modernizing energy infrastructure, enhancing generation, transmission, and distribution, and attracting foreign capital to Pakistan’s energy transition.
High-level representation
The chief minister was accompanied by senior cabinet members, including Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Shah, Saeed Ghani, Makhdoom Mahboobzaman, Jam Khan Shoro, Jam Ikram Dharajo, and Mukesh Chawla.
This high-level engagement represents a pivotal step in advancing Sindh–Saudi economic relations, promising new avenues for trade, industrial growth, and technology exchange — paving the way for a sustainable and inclusive future for both regions.
