“As China relaxes its Covid-19-related restrictions, I think a major turnaround will happen for Pakistani producers. I hope that Pakistani producers, exporters, and manufacturers will come here and explore this wonderful market,” said Ghulam Qadir, Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of Pakistan in China.
Looking back on the past year, Qadir acknowledged that it has been a difficult year for the global economy. In spite of this, breakthroughs have been achieved. “Pakistan’s cherry has been allowed to be exported to China, which amounts to a $2 billion market. Our sesame seed export to China surged by 50% on a year-on-year basis to $59.09 million in Jan-Sept 2022. Pakistan’s rice exports to China crossed the historical figure of one million tonnes. We are also finalising trade protocols for dairy and meat products. A market that is worth around $20 billion,” he exemplified.
This year, he said, the focus will be put on e-commerce. “In China, most of the selling takes place through e-commerce. So, we are sensitising our Pakistani exporters and manufacturers to come to China and use the wonderful facilities provided by the Chinese and provincial governments that include warehousing, rent-free offices, and all other allied facilities,” he stated.
“As 2023 marks the Pakistan-China Year of Tourism Exchanges, there will be some very special packages and a complete guidebook to facilitate travel from China to Pakistan,” he said.
Talking about the Belt and Road Initiative ((BRI), which marks its 10-year anniversary this year, Qadir told the CEN that Pakistan was one of the pioneer participants and a beneficiary of the BRI.
According to data from the World Bank, Pakistan’s export to China rose by over 35% from $2,652 million in 2013, when BRI was proposed, to $3,589 million in 2021.
Entering into the second phase of CPEC, the BRI’s flagship project, B2B cooperation will be stepped up to convert this huge infrastructure into industrial and export-oriented outcomes. “With more joint ventures, we can have more technology transfer and IT related cooperation,” he envisioned, adding that “Pakistan can not only become the food basket for China, but also provide the products at competitive rates”.
THE ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED ON THE CHINA ECONOMIC NET
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2023.
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