Chinese Firm to Establish Digital Economy Headquarters in Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced on Friday that Chinese technology firm IBI Beijing United Technology will establish its digital economy headquarters in Pakistan. This move is expected to boost investment, innovation, and cooperation in the country's growing information technology sector.
China, a major ally and investor in Pakistan, has pledged over $65 billion in investment under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Several Chinese private firms are also undertaking joint ventures in the South Asian nation.
An 11-member Chinese business delegation, led by Qian Xiaojun, president and controlling shareholder of IBI Beijing United Technology, met with Sharif in Islamabad. The meeting followed the Pakistan-China B2B Investment Conference held in Beijing in September 2025.
According to a statement from Sharif's office, the prime minister appreciated IBI Group's decision to establish its Pakistan Digital Economy Headquarters and expressed satisfaction at the expanding B2B cooperation between Pakistan and China. He noted that it was particularly encouraging that IBI would promote digital economy cooperation, investment facilitation, and industrial collaboration.
Pakistan, with a population of over 240 million, has identified digitization as a key tool to improve governance, reduce corruption, and expand the country's narrow tax base. Financial authorities have taken several steps to transition toward a digital economy in recent years. In February, Sharif announced that Pakistan would invest $1 billion in artificial intelligence by 2030 to modernize its economy.
Qian expressed confidence in Pakistan's digitization efforts and said the IBI Group hopes to help build the backbone for digital transformation of Pakistan's economy. He stated that the establishment of IBI's Digital Economy Headquarters in Pakistan would serve as a command center for this transformation and provide massive opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by offering a gateway to the vast Chinese market.
The prime minister lauded China's progress under President Xi Jinping and said he looked forward to his visit to China later this month.
