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 19th, 2012.
COMMENTS (5)
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Yes, there is a lot more room for Pakistan to import cheap Chinese goods. We still have a little bit of low-end industry left like textiles, leather/sporting goods and basic medical instruments - interestingly we don't export any of these to China. Our meagre exports to China consist of yarn and other commodities. There is room to export more of these basic commodities and substitute even our basic industry with Chinese imports. Lets make the Pak-China friendship higher than the stratosphere and deeper than the earth's mantle.
@ khan
Open competition will only benefit Pakistan in the longer run. . Cheap chinese imports also mean cheaper mobiles/computers/industrial machinery which has brought the cost of production down in Pakistan. . At London Heathrow, there is an HSBC (world's local bank) poster saying: 'Pakistan is the world's 2nd Largest exporter of textiles'. And it is only after friends like China made us more alert and competitive. . Your negative comments in every thread (especially rubbishing all data that supports Pakistan) shows a worrying thinking pattern. What really amazes me is that sometimes you identify yourself as Indian and sometimes use the figure we (Pakistani). But your comments in both cases remain very negative about Pakistan. . India is our neighbour and doing well. Well done! We are happy for that. Let's develop us at our own pace and with our own allies. . Peace!!
why the reports on express tribune lack statistical data?? like the amount of trade, its growth rate and all
Very good move from both countires, I have some business in China,live here also, Chinese people are so much helpful to me in every field, I feel very comfortable here, just like my home.lets do more and more trade with China, Great China only friend of Pakistan in this globe...........
trade is heavily in chinese favor. The FTA has basically ruined pakistan's industries and thrown millions jobless. These chinese are only sucking our profits by selling junk and sending profits back home. They give cheap loans and force pak Govt and army to buy products from their companies. We have opened our market to them and what are we selling in return? Our infrastructure, power, telecom, dams, roads, rails, airlines, mines, auto, every damn industry is run by chinese companies in background, lending money and sitting at management, and sending profits to beijing