SHANGHAI: Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin-ul-Haque has said that China is now Pakistan’s largest trading partner as the overall bilateral trade has witnessed unprecedented increase of more than 60 percent since the launch of the second phase of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in January last year.
During his visit to the 4th China International Import Expo (CIIE), being held in Shanghai, he expressed the confidence that Pakistan’s exports to China would double in the next 3 to 5 years as a result of increasing interest of Pakistani companies to trade with China.
The 4th China International Import Expo that started from November 5 and will continue till November 10, has attracted nearly 3,000 businesses from 127 countries and regions. The ambassador said Pakistan and China are very close partners cooperating on international multilateral affairs including trade imbalances, climate change, health pandemics.
Meanwhile, Moin-ul-Haque paid a visit to the Pakistan National Pavilion in Yiwu city of Zhejiang province as part of the economic diplomacy and outreach efforts of the Embassy and Consulates General in China.
The pavilion was established in November 2019 at Yiwu China Import Commodity Center Plaza, with an objective to showcase Pakistani traditional and exportable products and culture and to promote bilateral trade.
Upon his arrival, the ambassador was received by Eman Li, Chief Executive Officer of the Eman Logistics Co. Ltd., who is also the Honorary Investment Counselor (HIC) of Pakistan. Her company is the operator of the Pakistan pavilion. Ms. Eman briefed the ambassador about the working of the Pakistan Pavilion and efforts being made for promotion of Pakistani products to China through the Pavilion platform.
Haque appreciated the role being played by the pavilion and noted that a number of such pavilions had been established across China which were significantly contributing in introducing Pakistani products to the Chinese market thus leading to substantial increase in Pakistan’s exports to China.
During the visit, the ambassador also held a round table discussion with representatives of local chambers of commerce and businessmen. They expressed keen interest in doing business in Pakistan in the fields of solar energy, Halal meat, city lights, stationery, trading and warehousing.
The ambassador appreciated their interests and ensured full facilitation in realisation of their business ventures. Meanwhile, Ambassador Haque visited Yiwu city in Zhejiang province and met with the members of the Pakistani community. Yiwu city is a famous hub of small commodities trading in China. A sizable Pakistan community, involved in trading business, resides in Yiwu.
As part of the government’s community advocacy and outreach initiative, the ambassador met and interacted with members of the Pakistan community residing in the city and nearby region.
