Sindh, Saudi Arabia Strengthen Economic Ties, Major Saudi Business Delegation Visits Karachi

Independent News

KARACHI: Sindh’s economy witnessed a significant and positive development when Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah hosted Prince Mansour bin Mohammed Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi-Pak Joint Business Council, along with a 30-member high-level business delegation at the Chief Minister’s Office. The visit underscores the depth of brotherly relations and shared economic goals between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

 

Chief Minister Shah reaffirmed the Sindh government’s commitment to fostering long-term economic cooperation with Saudi Arabia. He invited Saudi investors to explore opportunities in agriculture, livestock, minerals and mining, infrastructure, energy, and food security.

 

He highlighted that Sindh was the first province in Pakistan to successfully execute several key infrastructure and social projects under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, recognized globally for its effectiveness. The Chief Minister emphasized that government-to-business (G2B) and business-to-business (B2B) collaborations would help enhance innovation, efficiency, and technology transfer between the two nations.

 

Both sides agreed to establish joint working groups in priority sectors to ensure sustainable progress toward shared economic goals.

 

Prince Mansour bin Mohammed Al Saud thanked the Sindh government for its hospitality and praised the vast investment opportunities and business-friendly environment in Karachi and Sindh. He announced the formation of subcommittees for sector-specific investments, marking the beginning of a new era in Saudi-Pak economic relations.

 

“Our business council is not new — we already share a long history of bilateral trade,” said Prince Mansour. “Following the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia, we have brought a strong delegation to explore new investment opportunities. Together, we will strengthen our economies. Pakistan is the gateway to regional trade and holds immense potential in tourism,” he added.

 

He further noted that privatization in Pakistan represents a “golden opportunity” for Saudi investors and expressed the kingdom’s interest in energy, infrastructure, and tourism cooperation to achieve mutual economic growth.

 

Investment Opportunities in Sindh

 

A detailed presentation was given to the Saudi delegation highlighting Sindh’s investment potential and ongoing development projects. Home to nearly 60 million people, Sindh is a major contributor to Pakistan’s GDP, industrial output, and tax revenue.

 

The province showcased opportunities in energy (coal, solar, wind, gas), agriculture, food processing, logistics, industrial zones, and eco-tourism. The delegation was also briefed on Sindh’s successful PPP projects and partnerships with international institutions such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Shanghai Electric, Engro, and McKinsey, reaffirming Sindh’s position as a reliable and investor-friendly province.

 

Sindh’s current investment portfolio exceeds USD 5 billion, encompassing sectors such as technology, water management, infrastructure, and hospitality. Key projects include the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, Pakistan’s first open-pit lignite mine, Sino Sindh Resources Ltd (Thar Block-1 Project), Nabisar–Vajihar Water Supply Project, NED Technology Park, and tourism developments like the Hawksbay Beach Resort and Keenjhar Lake Resort.

 

The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to streamlining investment procedures, digitizing land records, and ensuring comprehensive facilitation for investors. He said the provincial government is closely coordinating with federal institutions to maintain a business-friendly environment and ensure effective implementation of development projects.

 

This high-level engagement represents an important step toward strengthening economic relations, expanding trade, and launching joint projects between Sindh and Saudi Arabia. The collaboration aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and Sindh’s progressive, inclusive vision for sustainable growth.

 

Accompanying the Chief Minister were provincial ministers Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Saeed Ghani, Makhdoom Mehboob Zaman, Jam Khan Shoro, Jam Akram Dharejo, and Mukesh Chawla.

MoUs Signed

 

Two key Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed on the occasion, marking significant progress in the ownership structure and cooperation framework of K-Electric.

 

The first MoU concerned the sale and purchase of shares in KES Power Limited, while the second MoU was signed between K-Electric Limited and Trident Energy Ltd, aimed at exploring strategic cooperation and investment opportunities in Pakistan’s energy sector.

 

These agreements reflect growing international investor confidence in Pakistan’s energy market and signify renewed commitment to improving generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure across the country.