Trade fair boosts economic ties in Shaanxi province

Just days before China celebrates its 75th anniversary, Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, witnessed a significant boost in Pakistan-China economic cooperation. The China (Shaanxi)-Pakistan Economic and Trade Cooperation Fair, held in tandem with the Silk Road International Exposition on Friday, saw participation from around 40 Pakistani public and private companies eager to explore investment opportunities with Chinese partners.

Pakistan's Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, emphasized the importance of the event. "This is the first time such a large delegation and sector-specific conference is being held in Shaanxi Province," Hashmi remarked, noting the momentum gained after Pakistan's prime minister visited the region in June. With the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) entering its second phase last year, Hashmi highlighted a new focus on business-to-business (B2B) cooperation. "We have identified 13 priority sectors, including energy, minerals, chemicals, textiles, IT, and services, to attract Chinese investment," he said during an interview with China Economic Net.

Shaanxi Province has seen a notable rise in trade with Pakistan, nearly doubling between January and August. A local solar energy company even held 40% of Pakistan's market share at its peak. Pakistan, the guest of honour at the Silk Road Expo, hosted a prominent national pavilion showcasing its culture, products, and investment prospects, especially in energy.

Hashmi praised China's technological expertise and collaboration through CPEC, which has contributed over 8,000 megawatts of electricity, 800 kilometres of highways, and $26 billion in investments to Pakistan's economy. Looking forward, he expressed optimism about deepening cooperation in both advanced technologies and traditional manufacturing sectors.