BEIJING, Apr 18 (APP): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday invited Chinese entrepreneurs to diversify their manufacturing and see Pakistan as an extension to market for Europe, Africa and Central Asian republics. "We welcome the Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan as there are many opportunities for them. The government is offering a series of incentives for foreign investors," the Prime Minister said at a business dinner hosted in his honour, which was attended by top CEOs of major Chinese companies.

Prime Minister Aziz said after the signing of Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and China, there were broad prospects of greater collaboration.

He said though the trade balance was in favour of China, Pakistan was also making efforts to improve marketing of its products in China.

A large number of Chinese imports to Pakistan were helping the latter enhance its trade and the manufacturing and industrial sectors, he said.

Prime Minister Aziz said Pakistan's economy was growing at the rate of 7-8 percent while the per capita income had doubled owing to the government's policies of liberalization and privatization.

He said there was a scope of public-private partnership in infrastructure development including construction of bridges, roads and highways besides power projects and others.

Chinese Minister for Commerce Bo Xilai termed Pak-China friendship as higher than Himalayas and deeper than Indian ocean, and said the two countries enjoyed deep relations in political and economic spheres.

He said the two-way economic development plan would significantly boost the economic ties between the two countries and added that soon the China-Pakistan Joint Investment Company would become functional.

The Chinese minister appreciated Pakistan's economic performance and said there existed tremendous economic opportunities that needed to be explored.