With trade between Pakistan and China at all-time best, still much room for growth: Chinese envoy

About 45,000 people visited the forum that aimed to improve bilateral trade.

ISLAMABAD:

Trade and economic relations between Pakistan and China have entered the best period of history and there is more potential for growth. This was stated by Chinese Ambassador Liu Jian at the closing ceremony of the Pak-China Business Forum here on Wednesday.

He said that last year Pakistan was China’s fourth largest export destination. But, he underlined, there is still tremendous potential for investment between the two countries, particularly in telecommunication, infrastructure, agriculture and energy sectors.

“The governments and the business community of both sides should explore and exploit more trade and investment opportunities for mutual benefit,” he added.

A large number of businessmen, researchers and students set up stalls at the forum aimed at introducing their products and exploring new economic and business opportunities. As many as 45,000 people visited the forum, according to the organisers.

A number of interactive sessions and workshops were held and an agreement was also signed by the businessmen and universities of the two countries.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Mir Changez Khan Jamali said that such forums could help develop links between universities and industries. He urged the students and businessmen to work towards making the country stable.

Kevin Zou, a Chinese businessman who displayed his electronics including laptops, camera, TV, recorders, dubbed the business trip to Pakistan “a success” for his products.

MBA students of CIIT Lahore Nisar Ahmed and Mohammad Khursheed said that they had established a stall for marketing of their products, which was part of their thesis project. Previously, they were marketing these products within the university campus, but the forum provided an opportunity not only for selling, but also to improving communication skills by interacting with large number of people.  The event was organised by CIIT.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2012.