Economic relations: Pakistan, China seek to enhance ties

BEIJING: Ambassador Masood Khalid called on the Chinese businessmen and traders to exploit immense economic opportunities available in Pakistan’s northern areas bordering China’s western region.

He believed that infrastructure development, agriculture, textiles and halal food were attractive sectors for Chinese investment and would also support economic development in northern Pakistan.

Speaking in an interview with China Daily, Khalid said: “The current trade volume between the bordering regions is not much, only about $415 million. Chinese business groups should be more active in exploring the northern areas of Pakistan.”

There is a need to improve connectivity between China’s Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and northern Pakistan, which share borders.

Bilateral trade had steadily increased since a free-trade agreement was signed in 2008.

Bilateral trade, which increased by 17.6% to $12.4 billion last year, was projected to reach $15 billion within three years.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2013.

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