TORONTO (Muhammad Hassan Raza) - Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce Chaudhry Shafay Hussain has arrived in Canada on an investment-promotion mission aimed at attracting foreign capital to Punjab and expanding trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Canada.
The provincial minister received a warm welcome in Toronto, where a reception was organised in his honour by Canada Gateway Expo Chief Organiser Rana Muhammad Tanveer and the Pakistan Muslim League's Canada chapter.
Pakistan's High Commissioner to Canada Muhammad Saleem, Consul General in Toronto Khalil Ahmed Bajwa, diplomats, business leaders, overseas Pakistanis and members of the Pakistani community attended the reception.
Addressing the gathering, Shafay Hussain described overseas Pakistanis as the country's "true ambassadors" and a valuable national asset, saying their contribution extended beyond remittances to investment, trade and building Pakistan's economic links with international markets.
He said overseas Pakistanis could play a particularly important role in connecting foreign investors and businesses with opportunities available in Punjab.
"Overseas Pakistanis have a key role in Pakistan's development and economic stability," the minister said, adding that the diaspora could help create new commercial partnerships between Pakistan and countries such as Canada.
Punjab pitches special economic zones to Canadian investors
Shafay Hussain used the visit to highlight Punjab's investment potential, saying the province offered a conducive environment for industrial and commercial activity along with infrastructure developed to facilitate investors.
He invited Canadian businesses to explore opportunities in Punjab's special economic zones, saying investors operating in the zones could benefit from incentives, including income tax exemptions for up to 10 years and a one-time facility for duty-free import of machinery, subject to applicable laws and regulations.
The minister said Punjab had considerable investment potential in industries, agriculture, technology, energy and several other sectors.
He said the Punjab government was focusing on investor facilitation and creating an environment in which domestic and foreign businesses could establish and expand their operations.
Shafay Hussain assured Canadian investors that the provincial government would extend all possible facilitation to businesses interested in establishing projects in Punjab.
He said Pakistan and Canada had significant untapped potential for expanding bilateral trade, investment and people-to-people contacts.
The Pakistani diplomatic mission in Canada was also playing an important role in promoting economic cooperation, he said, adding that the large Pakistani diaspora could serve as an effective economic bridge between the two countries.
The minister urged Pakistani businesspeople based in Canada to come forward with practical proposals for increasing bilateral trade and investment, assuring them that workable suggestions would receive serious consideration.
Canada Gateway Expo seeks stronger business links
Shafay Hussain said he had travelled to Canada at the invitation of Rana Muhammad Tanveer, chief organiser of Canada Gateway Expo 2026 and associated with World Trade Developers.
Speaking at the reception, Tanveer described the minister's visit as an important opportunity to strengthen Pakistan-Canada business relations.
He said the existing volume of trade between the two countries remained below their economic potential and argued that there was considerable room for expansion.
According to Tanveer, the Canada Gateway Expo and Lifestyle Expo were designed to connect Pakistani manufacturers, exporters and entrepreneurs directly with Canadian buyers, investors and businesses.
He identified textiles, sporting goods, surgical instruments, agricultural and food products, and information technology among the sectors in which Pakistani businesses could potentially increase their presence in the Canadian market.
Tanveer said meetings between Shafay Hussain and Canadian investors could add momentum to efforts to bring new investment into Punjab.
He stressed that Pakistan-Canada economic relations should move beyond conventional imports and exports towards investment, technology transfer, joint ventures and long-term commercial partnerships.
Canada, he added, could also serve as an important gateway for Pakistani businesses seeking greater access to the wider North American market.
Meetings with Canadian investors, officials planned
During his visit, Shafay Hussain is scheduled to participate in the Lifestyle Expo being organised by World Trade Developers. He has also met the organisers and received a briefing on preparations and arrangements for the international exhibition.
The provincial minister is expected to hold meetings in Toronto with Canadian officials and representatives associated with trade, commerce and agriculture.
Meetings are also scheduled with the president of the Canola Association, Canadian investors, business leaders and government officials.
The discussions are expected to focus on investment opportunities in Punjab, ways to increase bilateral trade and measures to encourage Canadian companies to explore business opportunities in Pakistan.
The visit comes as Punjab seeks greater foreign participation in industrial development and attempts to market its special economic zones to international investors.
Shafay Hussain's pitch in Canada centres on using the province's industrial base, agricultural capacity and growing technology sector to attract investment while developing longer-term business partnerships.
Overseas Pakistanis urged to support economic ties
Alongside economic issues, Shafay Hussain also addressed political and organisational matters during his interaction with the Pakistani community.
He said the Pakistan Muslim League believed in an agenda of national development, stability and public prosperity, describing party workers as an important asset whose proposals should receive due consideration.
Referring to PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain's efforts to establish the party's presence in Canada, Shafay Hussain said the organisation would be further strengthened.
He thanked party representatives and overseas Pakistanis for the reception and hospitality extended to him.
The minister said stronger engagement between the government, overseas Pakistanis and international business communities could help transform Pakistan's diaspora links into investment and commercial opportunities.
His Canadian engagements are expected to continue with a series of meetings aimed at presenting Punjab as an investment destination and identifying areas where Pakistani and Canadian businesses can develop joint ventures and longer-term partnerships.