Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has invited China's Shanghai Electric Group to invest in seawater desalination, renewable energy, energy storage and industrial development projects in the province.
The proposals were discussed at the group's headquarters in Shanghai during a meeting with Shanghai Electric Group Chairman Wu Lei and company executives, where both sides reviewed existing projects and investment opportunities.
Murad proposed developing a seawater desalination plant in Karachi under Sindh's public private partnership framework to address the city's water supply problems.
During the meeting, company officials briefed the chief minister on Shanghai Electric's desalination facilities in China's Hebei province, including a plant capable of treating 75000 tonnes of water daily.
The facility also includes a multi-effect distillation plant with a daily treatment capacity of 25000 tonnes.
Murad said Karachi and other coastal areas of Sindh experiencing water shortages could adopt similar technology.
The chief minister also invited Shanghai Electric to participate in wind and solar power projects, battery storage systems and coal-based chemical industries.
He proposed establishing manufacturing and assembly facilities for renewable energy equipment in Sindh's special economic zones to support industrial activity and employment.
Discussing the company's operations in Tharparkar, Murad acknowledged its contribution to employment and technical training in the district.
He urged Shanghai Electric to expand job opportunities for residents, particularly women, and increase their participation in projects operating in the region.
The chief minister also proposed a training programme for engineers, technical professionals and energy sector officials from Sindh at Shanghai Electric's facilities in China.
The programme would focus on technology transfer, professional development and improving the province's capacity to operate energy and infrastructure projects.
Murad said cooperation in water treatment, energy production and industrial technology could help address Sindh's infrastructure requirements.
The meeting concluded with discussions on potential investment and technical cooperation between the Sindh government and Shanghai Electric Group.
