Prominent services firms to take part in Beijing fair

NLC, PIA, NBP will set up stalls to highlight Pakistan’s investment-friendly environment

BEIJING:

Pakistan’s prominent service-oriented companies will participate in the 2023 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), scheduled to take place in Beijing from September 2 to 6, to showcase their accomplishments.

“For the first time, Pakistan’s embassy in Beijing have invited the National Logistics Cell (NLC), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) to set up their stalls, highlighting the incentives and an investment-friendly environment in Pakistan,” Pakistan Embassy Commercial Counsellor Ghulam Qadir told APP on Friday.

He revealed that a couple of information technology companies having offices in Beijing and traders of handicrafts would also set up their stalls.

Qadir said that NLC had recently signed a memorandum of understanding with a Chinese logistics company and had also launched cargo movement under the TIR (International Road Transport) convention, which “is a great development for the logistics industry in Pakistan”.

Apart from that, the national airline has resumed flight operations to China and efforts are being made to make it more popular.

He anticipated that Pakistan’s Special Technology Zone Authority would set up a booth to attract investment in the Special Technology Zone.

“Participation of Pakistani companies will serve as a bridge between the two countries, enhancing free movement of people and regional connectivity,” he added.

According to the fair’s organisers, China’s commerce ministry and the Beijing municipal government, over 2,200 companies are gearing up to participate in offline exhibitions, among which 500 Global Fortune companies and industry-leading firms are poised to showcase their accomplishments.

Since its launch in 2012, CIFTIS has attracted over 600,000 exhibitors from 196 countries and regions.

It acts as an important platform for China to expand its openness, deepen cooperation and guide innovation, the organisers said.