Islamabad: The Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade (BBoIT) has initiated efforts to attract Chinese investment in local mineral processing, aiming to enhance copper ore exports and strengthen bilateral cooperation in the mineral trade sector.
During a virtual meeting, held between BBoIT, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), and Pakistan’s Consul General in Shanghai, the parties focused on fostering collaboration in mineral development, with particular emphasis on transitioning from raw mineral exports to value-added processing within Balochistan.
The meeting was attended by BBoIT CEO Abdul Kabir Khan Zarkoon, Consul General Shehzad Ahmed Khan, and TDAP representative Muhammad Yousaf.
Highlighting Balochistan’s vast deposits of copper, gold, and other valuable minerals, Zarkoon said the province has the potential to become a regional hub for mineral processing. He reiterated the provincial government’s commitment to developing local infrastructure, generating employment opportunities, and ensuring lucrative returns for foreign investors.
Zarkoon added that BBoIT is fully prepared to offer comprehensive facilities, policy support, and regulatory protection to international companies interested in investing in Balochistan’s mineral value chain.
Currently, Pakistan exports around $1.2 billion worth of copper ore to China annually.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Energy Ali Pervaiz Malik urged U.S. investors and companies to explore Pakistan’s extensive mineral resources through public-private partnerships and joint ventures.
Speaking at a webinar titled "Unlocking Pakistan’s Mineral Potential," the minister highlighted the country’s vast mineral wealth—including gold, copper, coal, rare earth elements, and other critical minerals essential for the global energy transition.
The event, jointly organized by the Ministry of Energy and the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan, aimed to promote investment opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral and mining sectors.
Ali Pervaiz Malik assured participants that the Government of Pakistan and the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) are committed to fully facilitating international companies in tapping into Pakistan’s mineral reserves. He emphasized Pakistan’s growing role in the global shift toward clean energy, supported by its abundant critical mineral resources.
He also spotlighted the international significance of the Reko Diq copper-gold project and recent discoveries in Balochistan’s Chagai district and Waziristan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The energy minister praised the success of the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum 2025 (PMIF 25) held earlier this year, which drew over 5,000 participants and significant international attention. He described the event as a turning point that established Pakistan as a serious player in the global mineral economy.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker reaffirmed the strong economic ties between the United States and Pakistan, stating that Pakistan offers immense opportunities in the mineral sector. She noted that Reko Diq is among the world’s largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits, and recent economic reforms make this an opportune time for U.S. investment.
Welcoming Pakistan’s recent policy initiatives aimed at unlocking the sector’s potential, Baker reiterated the U.S. Embassy’s continued support for American businesses. “We are here to build connections and foster productive partnerships,” she said, adding that American investors have long contributed to Pakistan’s development and see immense potential in its mineral sector.
The webinar was broadcast live from the headquarters of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), with participation from senior officials of the Ministry of Energy, leading mineral and energy companies, SIFC representatives, U.S. diplomats, and other key stakeholders from the energy sector.
