Pakistan’s waste crisis is looming large, with approximately 48.5 million tons of solid waste generated annually, which is exacerbated by yearly population growth of 2.4 percent and the rapid pace of urbanization. Pakistan grapples with inadequate waste management infrastructure.
“China has the most experience in waste management globally, and the vast economy of China is established because of proper management and recycling industry. China and Pakistan would work together on it,” said Shariq Vohra, President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Adnan Hafeez, director of Imperial Ventures (Pvt) Ltd, recently came to Sichuan, China. Finding investors in the sanitation field was his main aim. ”Seeing advanced technologies in China made me notice that there are still many opportunities and large space for Pakistan to cooperate with Chinese enterprises in garbage transportation and treatment.” Sichuan Quanyi Environmental Equipment Company is one of the companies that are interested in investing in Pakistan. There Adnan saw different kinds of garbage disposal vehicles. “I communicated with them about how to enter the Pakistani market. Aside from selling equipment and undertaking government projects, the company is also interested in investing in plants of equipment production in Pakistan.”
Sindh started to marketize sanitation projects in 2016, since when Imperial Ventures started to introduce Chinese companies to undertake sanitation projects in Pakistan. “At present, there are 10 sanitation projects in Sindh province, nine of which are undertaken by Chinese companies. Four of them got the project through our introduction and assistance.”Hafeez added.
Adnan said, “We have invited interested Chinese companies to come to Pakistan. Further cooperation details will be discussed after the companies conduct inspections of the business environment and market in Pakistan. This could be a big breakthrough.”
