PM Imran inaugurates JW Forland's auto assembly plant

With the launch of the project, there will be technology transfer from China to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday inaugurated the US$350 million JW Forland plant.

The launch event was held on Friday. JW SEZ CEO Group Shah Faisal along with Haier CEO Javed Afridi and Alex Xu CEO attended the event. This initiative is another achievement of the Pak-China friendship that is strengthening with the new policies. This project will not only bring in the latest technology but also will open avenues for more opportunities. This will also create jobs on both sides of the border.

Following the new and improved policies by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, we are seeing an inflow and keen interest of business stake holders of Pakistan.

With the launch of the project, there will be technology transfer from China to Pakistan. “Progress only starts after the technology is transferred,” said Prime Minister Khan. He said that schools will be formed, where the technicians will be able to acquire skills. “We will produce cars which can eventually be exported,” Khan remarked.

Speaking on the occasion, Shah Faisal Afridi said that “JW Forland is bringing in $350 million worth of investment to the economy. This will be a huge booster for all the stakeholders and the PTI government as well. It will also provide confidence to foreign investors who are willing to invest in the Pakistani market”.

Javed Afridi said that “JW Forland Glass Project is worth US$350 million alone which our group is leading. It will generate jobs, industrial and economic stability. All major global players in automotive, beverages and various other industries are coming in with massive investment just like us.”

In accordance to auto development policy 2016-21 and keeping in mind the development projects initiated by Govt. under CPEC. Many international automotive brands agreed to invest in auto sector of Pakistan. JW-FORLAND was shaped up as an agreement between Changsha Foton Vehicle Technology Co. Ltd. and JW SEZ Group was signed back in December 2016. JW-FORLAND became the first Pakistani company to have a 50/50 business deal with a leading Chinese company in the auto sector. It is also for the first time in auto sector of Pakistan that due to this agreement the Chinese technology will be transferred to Pakistan that includes specialized parts like transmission, engine etc.

The joint venture established an assembly plant in just one and half year after receiving Greenfield status. The plant capacity, in its initial phase, is producing 30,000 units per annum, which is located over 50-acre land in Lahore.

The initial product line includes Cargo trucks and dump trucks ranging from 1 ton to 7.5 tons loading capacity. JW-FORLAND Dump truck D310 is first locally manufactured dump truck that is designed as per international safety standards and specifically manufactured for construction sector of Pakistan.

Initially in first phase of this new venture $150 million was invested and providing direct employment it 500+ peoples that not only include highly experienced and skilled labor but also fresh graduates from different colleges and vocational institutes. Company further planned to invest $300 million in future to increase its product line, through this expansion company planned to provide 3500+ direct employment opportunities, and also provide what is actually required for boosting Pakistan economy in terms commercial vehicles and fulfill requirement of passenger vehicles also. Having state of the art plant and highly qualified human resource JW-FORLAND aimed to be no-1 consumer choice in next five years.