Nineteen Pakistani exhibitors are participating in the ongoing 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) being held from November 5 to 10 in Shanghai, which has made a remarkable mark by showcasing Pakistan’s largest effort ever.
The expo, which has been held annually since 2018, is a major platform for promoting international trade and cooperation.
“Pakistan’s active participation in this event highlights its commitment to strengthening economic ties with China, Pakistan’s second largest export destination, and exploring new avenues of collaboration,” highlighted Pakistan’s Consul General in Shanghai Hussain Haider in an interview with the China Economic Net at a Pakistani pavilion.
One of the key highlights of Pakistan’s participation in the 6th CIIE is its focus on promoting its diverse range of export products.
From leathers and surgical instruments to agricultural goods and handicrafts, the country has showcased its rich cultural heritage and economic potential. Its pavilions, adorned with vibrant displays and innovative products, have attracted the attention of exhibitors and visitors alike.
Recognising the significance of CIIE, Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce has extended its full support to the participating businesses. Various incentives, including subsidies and facilitation services, have been provided to ensure a successful experience.
This proactive approach by the government was widely appreciated by the exhibitors and further enhanced Pakistan’s image as an attractive investment destination.
CIIE is one of the biggest signs of the opening up of the Chinese economy. It is encouraging that China’s “dual circulation” development model provides more space for international high-quality imports, Haider said.
Pakistan’s exports to China in September surged by an impressive 100.5% compared to the corresponding month of the previous year, which bodes well.
The CG said the country needs to sustain its exports and take advantage of the opening up of the Chinese economy and the free trade agreement (FTA) that offers a lot of concessions.
Since the beginning of this year, the two countries have signed protocols on the export of boiled beef, dried chillies and dairy products to China, achieved access to fresh cherries from Pakistan and reached an agreement on the export of animal skins to China.
The Ministry of Commerce is assisting more companies to meet the import requirements of the General Administration of Customs of China for the aforementioned categories and expanding the export of more quality products such as surgical instruments and sports equipment.
The CG also highlighted the importance of trade exhibitions and fairs as platforms for promoting Pakistani products in China. He urged exporters to participate in such events to showcase their products and establish direct contacts with potential Chinese buyers as these interactions provide an opportunity for both sides to explore potential collaborations, joint ventures and partnerships.
BRI yields fruitful results
In the Thatta district of Sindh, more than 100 wind turbines are constantly delivering green power to households in the rural areas.
“This is an important part of our wind power project portfolio, and all 12 wind power projects, with a total installed capacity of 610 megawatts, have been connected to the grid,” said Yang Jianduo, chief representative of PowerChina in Pakistan.
According to Yang, the project portfolio has created over 20,000 jobs for locals, and once fully completed, it will provide 2 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually, equivalent to reduction of 2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, Xinhua reported. These projects are under the framework of the 3,000km-long China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Launched in 2013, CPEC is a corridor linking Pakistan’s Gwadar Port with Kashgar in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, highlighting energy, transport and industrial cooperation.
CPEC has achieved fruitful results, noted Hassan Daud Butt, Senior Adviser at the China Study Centre of the Sustainable Development Policy Institute, an Islamabad-based think tank.
By the end of 2022, CPEC brought a direct investment of $25.4 billion to Pakistan, created 236,000 jobs and helped add 510 km of expressways and 8,000MW of power supply, he said while attending the Second Conference of Global Economic Development and Security Forum of Boao Forum for Asia in late October in Changsha, central China’s Hunan province. CHINA ECONOMIC NET/APP
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2023.
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