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Noticias Financieras

Better Utility Stock to Own: Fortis vs Emera
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Better Utility Stock to Own: Fortis vs Emera

Fortis and Emera are two top investments. But which is the better utility stock to invest in right now?The post Better Utility Stock to Own: Fortis vs Emera appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

#STOCKS
Canadian Defensive Stocks to Buy Now for Stability
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Canadian Defensive Stocks to Buy Now for Stability

Defensive stocks like Fortis and Loblaw are the best stocks to buy now for long-term stability and growth.The post Canadian Defensive Stocks to Buy Now for Stability appeared first on The Motley Fool Canada.

#STOCKS
Thunes Named a Leading Fintech in Singapore by Tech in Asia and Statista
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Thunes Named a Leading Fintech in Singapore by Tech in Asia and Statista

Thunes recognised in Tech in Asia and Statista's inaugural 'Singapore's Top Fintech Companies 2026' list. SINGAPORE, Jan. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Thunes, the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world, has been recognised in Tech in Asia and Statista's first-ever Singapore's first Top Fintech Companies list. This prestigious accolade highlights Thunes' pivotal role in Singapore's digital finance revolution and its position as a standout performer. Thunes' inclusion in the Payments category reflects the company's growth, innovation and impact in making global money movement faster, more inclusive, and more reliable. The list identifies the pioneers and innovators redefining the financial landscape in a city-state that is reported to account for over 59% of ASEAN's fintech funding. It evaluates Singapore-based Fintech companies on the analysis and weighting of overarching and segment-specific KPIs, recognising 95 organisations across seven different market segments. Thunes' inclusion in the list follows a series of major company milestones, including its $150 million Series D fundraise in 2025, the ongoing expansion of its proprietary Direct Global Network which enables real-time cross-border payments in over 130 countries and 80 currencies, and its recent strategic growth in major markets including the United States. Chloé Mayenobe, Deputy CEO of Thunes, commented: "Being named among Singapore's top fintech companies by Tech in Asia and Statista is a powerful endorsement of the progress we're making in our mission to empower the next billion end users to take part in the global economy. But we aren't stopping there - we're going into 2026 with limitless opportunities ahead. Singapore is a world-class hub for financial innovation, and as a homegrown company we are proud to be at the heart of this ecosystem." For Thunes' Members which include the likes of Grab, WeChat, Circle, Ripple, PayPal and Mastercard, this recognition reaffirms their collaboration with a world-class provider at the forefront of compliance, reliability, and innovation. Mathieu Limousi, Chief Marketing Officer at Thunes, added: "Joining the Thunes Direct Global Network means faster speed to market and the confidence of moving money via a Network that is literally powering the revolution in how money crosses borders. This recognition is a testament to the hard work of our team and the trust of our valued Members who rely on our Network to power money movement worldwide." View the full list of Singapore's Top Fintech Companies 2026 at the following link: https://www.techinasia.com/singapore-top-fintech-list-2026 About Thunes: Thunes is the Smart Superhighway to move money around the world. Thunes' proprietary Direct Global Network allows Members to make payments in real-time in over 130 countries and more than 80 currencies. Thunes' Network connects directly to over 7 billion mobile wallets, stablecoin wallets and bank accounts worldwide, as well as 15 billion cards via more than 320 different payment methods, such as GCash, M-Pesa, Airtel, MTN, Orange, JazzCash, Easypaisa, AliPay, WeChat Pay HK and many more. For more information, visit: https://www.thunes.com/

#ECONOMY
Pragmatic Approach ‘A Must’ For China Visit
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Pragmatic Approach ‘A Must’ For China Visit

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is calling for the Prime Minister’s visit to China to be rooted in pragmatism and focused on delivering for the UK economy. As the UK navigates an increasingly fractured global trade landscape it cannot afford to ignore its third largest trading partner and the world’s second biggest economy.]]>

#ECONOMY
Far East Gold Ltd (ASX:FEG) Quarterly Activities Report
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Far East Gold Ltd (ASX:FEG) Quarterly Activities Report

Far East Gold Ltd (ASX:FEG) (OTCMKTS:FEGDF) reported a high-intensity quarter of exploration activity across its mineral portfolio. Extensive drilling, surface sampling, structural targeting and mapping have delivered new discoveries and expanded zones of gold mineralisation at the Idenburg Project for the quarter ending 31 December 2025. HIGHLIGHTS REPORTED DURING THE QUARTER: Higher Grades and Zone Extensions at the Sua Prospect - 10 holes for a total of 1,836m were drilled during the Quarter. The holes were planned to test depth and lateral extensions of gold mineralized zones intersected in historical drillholes. The results confirmed zone continuity to depth and the presence of high-grade gold associated with rare coarse visible gold. The results indicate the potential to significantly expand the current resource estimate at Sua. Refer to Company ASX announcements of 24 November, 2025 and 15 December, 2025. Significant intercepts included: - 24.08 g/t Au over 5.3m (20m to 25.3m) in KSD023 including - 131 g/t Au over 0.8m (24.5m to 25.3m) and - 180 g/t Au over 0.4m (24.9m to 25.3m) - 8.59 g/t Au over 35.5m (23.5m to 59m) in KSD024 including; - 252.5 g/t Au over 0.8m (24.5m to 25.3m) - 18 g/t Au over 3m (46m to 49m) in KSD024 - 3.16 g/t Au over 2m (68m to 70m) in KSD025 - 8.42 g/t Au over 7.7m (106.3m to 114m) in KSD025 including - 34.65 g/t Au over 0.7m (106.3m to 107m) in KSD025 - 8.82 g/t Au over 4.5m (120m to 124,5m) in KSD026 including - 51 g/t Au over 0.5m (122.5m to 123m) - 26.43 g/t Au over 0.5m (125m to 125.5m) in KSD026 The high-grade gold zones remain open down-dip and along strike to the northeast. Mineralisation at Sua is hosted within a series of stacked milky-quartz +/- sulphide veins in which more than 30 individual gold-bearing quartz veins have been identified. The Sua vein system occurs within the 5km long Sua-Afley shear zone and infers significant potential for additional high-grade discoveries. A review and discussion of historical exploration and assessment of resource potential can be found in the Company's ASX announcement of 21 August, 2024. Drilling Program at North Bermol has Discovered Extensive Near Surface Gold Mineralisation - To the end of the Quarter at total of 18 holes for about 960m were drilled. The holes tested a low angle thrust fault/shear plane that shows intense ductile deformation with associated quartz veins and pyrite mineralisation. Assays received suggest that high grades of gold mineralisation correlate with greater abundance of pyrite. Both quartz veins and pyrite reflect intense deformation. Refer to Company ASX announcement of 28 October, 2025. - Based on the drill results the North Bermol shear zone is a broad, near surface, shallow dipping (15deg) plane that strikes and dips to the northeast. The thrust plane has been intersected to a depth of about 43m and has an apparent true thickness of 0.5-8meters. 3Dmodeling of current drill results suggest that the shear plane is at least of 300m across (to NW) and has a strike length of about 350m (to NE). The thrust plane remains open in both directions. Significant intercepts included: - BND003: 2.6m at 3.9 g/t Au from 11.3m, including 0.5m at 15 g/t Au from 12.4m. - BND004: 5m at 4.9g/t Au from 23.5m, including 1.6m at 12.8 g/t Au from 24.8m - BND005: 2.8m at 8.4 g/t Au from 32m, including 1.6m at 12.3 g/t Au from 33.2m - BND011: 2.7m at 3.19 g/t Au from 24.6 m, including 0.5m at 5.7g/t Au from 25,6 m. - BND012: 2.35 m at 2.8 g/t Au from 27.6 m, including 0.9m at 6.3 g/t Au from 28.3 m. Managing Director &CEO Shane Menere said: "This has been one of the most productive and strategically important quarters for Far East Gold since our inception. Our team has worked relentlessly across multiple fronts advancing mapping, sampling, permitting, and drilling programs, to unlock the significant potential within our Indonesian gold portfolio. At Idenburg, we have been deeply engaged in drilling across three key prospect areas, with work confirming the scale and continuity of gold-bearing structures at Bermol and exciting new high-grade results emerging from North Bermol. Preparations are also well advanced to commence drilling at the Kwaplu high-grade zone, while assays remain pending from the known high-grade Sua prospect, both of which have the potential to deliver further material growth for the Company. The granting of the 9,000-hectare PIPPIB reclassification was another major milestone, providing regulatory certainty and allowing usto accelerate exploration and development activities across our broader Idenburg tenure. In parallel, we are advancing toward drilling commencement at Mount Clark West in Queensland and finalising preparations for near-term drilling at the Trenggalek Copper-Gold Project in East Java. We continue to engage with several Indonesian and multinational groups who have expressed strong interest in partnering with Far East Gold as we move toward the next phase of growth. These discussions underscore the quality of our assets and the credibility of the exploration foundation we've built. With multiple drill programs now active or imminent, and a steady stream of assay results expected over the coming months, we are entering a period of consistent newsflow and value creation. The groundwork has been laid - and we are now delivering tangible results for our shareholders as we advance toward a new era of discovery and development." *To view the full Quarterly Report, please visit:https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/NS6ZVETC Justin WernerChairmane:justin.werner@fareast.goldShane MenereChief Executive Officere:shane.menere@fareast.gold m: + 61 406 189 672 + 62 811 860 8378Tim YoungInvestor Relations & Capital Markets e:tim.young@fareast.gold m: + 61 484 247 771

#COMMODITIES
The age of digital currencies—II
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The age of digital currencies—II

Pakistan is pivoting towards a proactive regulatory framework for digital assets, looking to unlock the immense value of this growing asset class. The challenge for today’s policymakers is clear: building an ecosystem that fuels economic growth without compromising financial integrity.With initiatives such as the formation of the Crypto Council and the Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, Pakistan has signaled its readiness to lead. Now, a synergetic partnership between the government and the banking sector will be the catalyst that turns digital currencies into a cornerstone of national development.A persistent challenge, however, lies in perception. Digital assets are often viewed through a binary lens—either as speculative instruments or as threats to monetary sovereignty. This overlooks the fact that stable-coins, unlike unbacked crypto currencies, can be engineered for highly specific and productive use cases within a regulated financial system.OPINION: The age of digital currencies—IWhile the government’s role is undoubtedly at the forefront of digital transformation, their efforts need to be duly supplemented by financial institutions. In essence, a comprehensive digital ecosystem within banks will be conducive to digital currency usage.From a banking perspective, stable-coins offer a modular toolkit rather than a single product. They can underpin cross-border settlements, automate trade finance workflows, enable instant reconciliation, support tokenized deposits, and facilitate low-cost remittance corridors. When embedded within regulatory guardrails, these applications strengthen—not weaken—formal financial intermediation.The Bank of Punjab (BOP), in particular, has focused on building the necessary digital infrastructure and market use cases over several years. This has resulted in significant milestones, including the management of eight million branchless wallets, a million mobile users, and a PKR 200 billion digital lending portfolio. BOP’s strategy emphasizes that for digital transformation to succeed, financial institutions must leverage the existing technology stack and collaborate with FinTech companies and government bodies like NADRA and the SBP. This proactive approach includes exploring advanced frontiers such as cross-border stable-coin settlements in regulatory sandboxes and integrating single sign-on (SSO) identities through the NADRA Pak ID.The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is another key entity that has transitioned from a cautious observer to an active architect of this digital future. It has already envisioned the central bank digital currency (CBDC) project and has been exploring its veracity since 2022, specifically evaluating how a digital rupee can add value beyond existing systems like RAAST. Through the 5P methodology—comprising Preparation, Proof of Concept (PoC), Prototype, Pilot, and Production—the SBP has already transitioned from initial preparation to the PoC stage. This phase involves collaboration with international partners like the World Bank and IMF to test specific use cases, such as improving cross-border payments and streamlining social disbursement.The development of a CBDC is strategically designed to address two primary local challenges: reducing the high volume of physical currency in circulation, which currently fuels the informal economy, and enabling offline payment capabilities to supplement the RAAST network when internet access is unavailable. Current exploration focuses on critical design choices, such as whether the system will be centralized or DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) based, and its status as a remunerated or non-remunerated asset. Pakistan’s approach mirrors global trends—such as China’s need for private sector backups, Sweden’s response to declining cash, and the Bahamas’ efforts to reduce distribution costs—by seeking a more cost-effective and resilient financial infrastructure.While the aforementioned benefits are evident, it is equally pertinent to assess risks associated with Pakistan’s embrace of digital assets, particularly in the context of its ties with the United States. It is first important to acknowledge, that proximity to the U.S presents a prime opportunity for companies in Pakistan to raise capital from US investors, as demonstrated by the startup ‘ZAR’, which recently raised USD 13 million. This provides a tailwind for Pakistani businesses, including those in sectors like critical metals, to attract US investment.At the same time, it is important to draw attention towards potential concerns. For instance, the role of private entities like ZAR has been scrutinized; by explicitly stating that the Pakistani Rupee could be replaced by dollar stable-coins, these platforms are seen as potentially extending US financial control.Market stability remains a secondary, yet equally pressing area of concern. With major crypto currencies such as Bitcoin dropping 25 percent from its recent peaks, significant capital is being lost by the Pakistani public, particularly through leveraged contracts on popular platforms like Binance. This level of financial disruption raises questions about how the government intends to manage these risks while appearing to support the sector.Pakistan therefore faces a delicate balancing act: it must navigate the friction between fostering a globally competitive tech ecosystem and safeguarding its economic sovereignty from both external geopolitical influence and internal market volatility.The Bank of Punjab hosted an experts’ panel during the 2025 SDPI Sustainable Development Conference, where the experts proposed a host of recommendations, which can be undertaken in the medium term to ensure a smooth adoption of digital currencies into the financial system.Pakistan possesses a wealth of talent and natural resources that provide a strong foundation for a digital economic transformation. To harness this potential, the government must design robust onshore tokenization frameworks, while regulators work to translate these policies into seamless execution.With this regulatory backing, financial institutions and banks can launch innovative services such as tokenized deposits and stablecoin-based remittances to improve efficiency. Furthermore, these advancements would enable modern trade finance transactions, stablecoin-collateralized lending, and secure custody services, ultimately positioning Pakistan as a competitive player in the global digital economy. Furthermore, the existing Crypto Council must be restructured into a more inclusive and broad-based body that ensures diverse representation across the financial and tech sectors. To ensure these efforts meet global standards, Pakistan should actively leverage the technical assistance and expertise of international development partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).Pakistan’s digital future is not a choice; it is a dual-track necessity. It is not sustainable to pursue regulated crypto and state-backed initiatives in isolation. To win, we must move now: adopt a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) to drive domestic inclusion and maintain sovereignty, while simultaneously leveraging stable-coins as the strategic gateway into the crypto market.We must appreciate that crypto currency is an overarching term which detonates a broader asset-class encompassing both the speculative features - like bitcoins - and genuine transactional efficiencies - like stable-coin. It’s our choice at the end of the day which genre of crypto to be regulated and how - bitcoin with circuit-breakers like in the case of PSX, and Stable-coins with or without sovereign reserves to allow and promote the underlying use-cases, as the regulator may decide. But throwing baby with the bathwater by painting all crypto currencies with the same brush is not a wise narrative and will only put Pakistan behind on this imperative adoption in due course of time, especially given that 70 percent of our population is below the age of 23 years, who’ve digital adoption flowing in their veins and use of it comes naturally to them. This is not the “good to have” or a “sexy proposition” to offer but a survival for sustainable future, accelerating the much needed financial inclusion for the welfare of our people, our communities.(Concluded)Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

#CRYPTO
ECC approves TSGs of over Rs66.11bn
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ECC approves TSGs of over Rs66.11bn

ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet on Wednesday approved several technical supplementary grants (TSGs) of over Rs66.11 billion, including Rs23.42 billion for sharing of subsidy on imported urea at a 50:50 basis between the federal government and provincial governments.ECC of the Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb to consider a range of economic, fiscal and sectoral matters aimed at ensuring macroeconomic stability, protecting consumers, strengthening social services and addressing operational requirements of key public sector entities.The ECC approved the sharing of subsidy on imported urea at a 50:50 basis between the Federal Government and provincial governments through a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 23.42 billion requested by the Ministry of Commerce. Of this amount, Rs. 15 billion will be released by the Finance Division, while the remaining amount will be arranged subject to fiscal space.READ MORE: ECC approves Rs15.6bn technical supplementary grantsWhen asked about the subsidy, Khurram Schehzad, Adviser to Finance Minister told Business Recorder that it is not new but accounted for and targeted.The ECC approved the disposal of 500,000 metric tons of PASSCO wheat stock through competitive bidding, with the objective of managing surplus stocks, reducing carrying and storage costs, and ensuring price stability in the domestic wheat market while safeguarding food security considerations.In a related decision, the Committee approved the provision of 300,000 metric tons of PASSCO wheat to the Food and Consumer Protection Department of the Government of Punjab, aimed at maintaining adequate wheat supplies for flour mills, stabilizing prices and ensuring uninterrupted availability of wheat flour to consumers.The ECC also considered and approved funds required for clearing outstanding liabilities of utility companies against the Pakistan Post Office Department (PPOD), authorizing the release of Rs. 10.98 billion as a Technical Supplementary Grant to address long-pending payables accumulated over several years.In the health sector, the Committee approved a Technical Supplementary Grant amounting to Rs. 29.663 billion for the Federal Directorate of Immunization under the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination to ensure uninterrupted procurement of vaccines and syringes under the Expanded Programme on Immunization.The approval aims to sustain routine immunization coverage across the country, prevent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases, and meet Pakistan’s international commitments in public health.In the housing and development sector, the Committee approved a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 1.9 billion in favour of the Ministry of Housing and Works for meeting capital outlay under the Sustainable Development Goals Achievement Programme for execution of development schemes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited, aimed at accelerating infrastructure development and improving service delivery.The ECC also approved a Technical Supplementary Grant of Rs. 150 million in favour of Cadet College Hasan Abdal under the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training to meet operational and developmental requirements and ensure the smooth functioning of the institution.The ECC approved the distribution of confiscated solar panels by the Federal Board of Revenue to the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, along with the associated transportation and distribution plan, to help address electricity shortages in the region, promote renewable energy solutions, and support public service facilities through sustainable power generation.The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, along with federal secretaries and senior officials from the concerned ministries, divisions and regulatory bodies.Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

#STOCKS
China invited to ‘PMIF 2026’
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China invited to ‘PMIF 2026’

ISLAMABAD: The federal government said that Pakistan has the potential for USD 6 to USD 8 billion in mineral exports annually and invited Chinese companies to participate in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (PMIF) 2026, to be held on April 8 and 9, to strengthen economic and investment cooperation between Pakistan and China under CPEC.“Pakistan’s mineral exports have the potential to reach USD 6 to USD 8 billion annually within this decade through value addition. We extend a formal invitation to all the Chinese companies and delegates present here to participate in the PMIF-2026 scheduled to be held in April.Pakistan is richly endowed with mineral resources, including copper, gold, coal, zinc, lead, gemstone rare earth elements, and other strategic minerals.READ MORE: Meeting reviews PMIF 2026 preparationsThe government is taking concrete initiatives to enhance mineral exploration, promote value addition, and ensure maximum economic benefit through sustainable and responsible development of the mineral sector,” Minister for Planning, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik and Minister for Board of Investment (BOI) Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh expressed these views while addressing separately to Pak–China Mineral Cooperation Forum in Islamabad on Wednesday.The forum was attended by Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, senior government officials, representatives of Chinese and Pakistani companies, investors, and key stakeholders from the mineral and industrial sectors.Speaking at the launch ceremony of the China-Pakistan Mineral Cooperation Forum, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said “Pakistan and China are entering a new and important phase of their economic partnership by making mineral development a key focus of CPEC Phase-2, which aims to turn connectivity into productivity, exports, and long-term economic growth.”He said both countries are reshaping their strategic partnership around mineral-based industrial development, with Gwadar set to play a central role as the main gateway linking Pakistan’s mineral-rich areas to regional and international markets.The minister said the China-built international airport in Gwadar has put the port city in a strong position to support Pakistan’s next phase of growth. He added that “Gwadar is now ready to operate not only as a modern port city but also as a centre for the mining industry by connecting Pakistan’s mineral resources with global markets.”Highlighting Pakistan’s unused mineral potential, Ahsan Iqbal said the country has about 92 known minerals, of which 52 are currently being mined, with nearly 5,000 active mines and yearly production of around 68.5 million metric tons. Despite this, he noted that mineral exports remain low, contributing only 2 to 3 percent to the country’s GDP.“This gap between potential and performance is largely due to lack of value addition,” he said, adding that over 90 percent of mineral exports were raw or semi-processed, while only about 40 percent of Pakistan’s land had been geologically mapped.Citing marble and granite reserves stretching from Turbat to Chitral, the minister said, “There is a huge opportunity for Chinese enterprises to invest in modern cutting and processing technologies so Pakistan can become a global hub for world-class marble and earn billions of dollars from this sector alone.”He said with improved governance, technology and strategic partnerships, Pakistan’s mineral exports could rise to USD 6–8 billion annually within this decade, support GDP growth of around six percent and generate more than 350,000 direct and indirect jobs.He said “China plays a key role in this transformation because of its experience in the entire mining process, including geological surveys, modern mining, processing, smelting, refining, environmental protection, and project financing.” He added that existing projects such as Saindak Copper-Gold, Duddar Lead-Zinc, and Thar Coal show the strong potential of cooperation between the two countries.The minister said “Pakistan is now moving beyond simple mining by setting up mineral processing plants, smelters, refineries, and mineral-based industries connected to special economic zones and transport corridors.”He identified the Naukundi–Mashkhel–Turbat–Gwadar corridor as a potential flagship project to directly connect Balochistan’s mineral belt with Gwadar Port.Ahsan Iqbal said the government had strengthened institutional coordination through the Special Investment Facilitation Council to ensure fast-track approvals, policy consistency and robust security arrangements, reaffirming that the safety and security of Chinese nationals and investments remained a top national priority.Inviting Chinese enterprises to take a leading role in developing copper, gold, rare earths and other critical minerals vital for clean energy and advanced manufacturing, the minister said, “With China as our trusted partner, Pakistan is determined to convert its mineral wealth into industrial strength, export competitiveness and shared prosperity.”Addressing the ceremony, Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik invited Chinese companies to take part in the PMIF 2026, scheduled for April 8 and 9 this year.He said Chinese participation would be especially welcome through a country pavilion displaying mining skills, technologies, and equipment. He added that the forum would provide a focused platform for direct engagement with policymakers, regulators, and project sponsors.The minister said that under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Chinese investment has played a key role in quickly expanding Pakistan’s power generation capacity through various energy projects, helping to overcome a long-standing barrier to economic growth.He noted that China was among the first countries to recognise the strategic importance of the mining sector and now holds a strong position in rare earth elements and key metals such as antimony, while also leading globally in copper smelting and refining.The minister said rising confidence among local investors shows a stable and sustainable business environment, adding that more Pakistani companies are entering the mining sector and forming partnerships with international firms.With global demand increasing for copper and other critical minerals needed for the energy transition, he said Pakistan, with China’s support, is positioning itself as a dependable long-term partner in the global mineral supply chain.Federal Minister for Board of Investment (BOI) Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said the Forum was a significant initiative aimed at further strengthening economic and investment cooperation between Pakistan and China.He said that more than 300 Pakistani companies visited China in September 2025, resulting in the signing of 167 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during the Pak-China Business-to-Business Conference. He informed that the BOI is actively pursuing the implementation of all signed MoUs to translate commitments into tangible investment outcomes.Highlighting Pakistan’s vast untapped potential, the Minister said “Pakistan is richly endowed with mineral resources, including copper, gold, coal, rare earth elements, and other strategic minerals.” He emphasized that the government is taking concrete initiatives to enhance mineral exploration, promote value addition, and ensure maximum economic benefit through sustainable and responsible development of the mineral sector.The minister reiterated that the BOI is providing maximum facilitation to investors by improving the Ease of Doing Business, offering incentives through Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and streamlining approval processes.He added that regulatory reforms are under way to further improve the investment climate and create a more conducive environment for foreign investors in Pakistan.Delivering the keynote address, Ambassador Jiang Zaidong reaffirmed China’s strong interest in investing in Pakistan’s mining sector and in supporting skills development and the use of modern technology. He stressed that steady cooperation and innovation are important to move the sector forward, while responsible mining can improve the use of resources and build positive relations with local communities.He noted that the Saindak project alone has trained more than 5,200 local workers and repeated China’s commitment to increasing local participation and providing organized support to companies operating in Pakistan. He also highlighted China’s focus on developing “small and beautiful projects,” including initiatives in infrastructure, education, and healthcare, as part of wider development cooperation.Wang Jicheng, Chairman of MCC (Metallurgical Corporation of China) shared insights from Chinese mining operations in Pakistan, highlighting the role of technology transfer, workforce training, and adherence to best practices. He reaffirmed MCC’s long-term commitment to Pakistan’s mineral sector and its focus on expanding cooperation in exploration, mining, and downstream development while contributing to local employment and skills enhancement.Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

#COMMODITIES