Islamabad, Nov 8: Ambassador Hashmi Highlights Significant Opportunities for Pakistan’s Trade Growth at China International Import Expo (CIIE). Khalil Hashmi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, highlighted the significant opportunities available for Pakistani businesses to enhance their presence in China during the ongoing 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) taking place in Shanghai.
He pointed out that the Expo serves as an essential venue for developing nations like Pakistan to present their offerings and build relationships with consumers and businesses in China.This year, more than two dozen Pakistani firms are participating in the Expo, displaying a diverse array of traditional crafts, textiles, and agricultural products, including well-known rice and apparel brands, as reported to China Economic Net (CEN).
Ambassador Hashmi emphasized that China’s economic strategy, which blends openness with mutual prosperity, offers a robust pathway for Pakistani firms, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Given the growing significance of the e-commerce sector in contributing to China’s GDP, he encouraged Pakistani businesses to tap into online platforms to enhance their visibility and sales in this vast market.
He expressed optimism that more sectors would follow this trend, motivating Pakistani companies in food, electronics, and IT to capitalize on this vibrant market and collaborate with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) for assistance in seizing these opportunities.
According to Hashmi, at the previous CIIE, there were over 3,400 exhibitors and 410,000 professional attendees, including many business leaders and investors looking for import collaborations.
Customs data indicated that China’s total trade, encompassing imports and exports, hit 41.76 trillion yuan ($5.88 trillion) in 2023, marking a 0.2% increase compared to the previous year. Hashmi urged Pakistani businesses to take advantage of this chance, cooperate with TDAP, and expand their networks to enhance Pakistan’s exports to China and beyond.
