DNA

ISLAMABAD, July 31: Pakistan and China should focus on promoting direct business linkages between their entrepreneurs to further enhance bilateral trade and explore JVs in potential areas of mutual interest between the two countries.

This was stated by Muhammad Ahmed Waheed, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry while delivering his message to China.

Gwadar Pro reported on Friday that Fujian – Pakistan Two-Way Trade Online Promotion Conference that was organized by the Department of Commerce of Fujian Province of China in collaboration with the Consulate General of Pakistan in Guangzhou and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Ahmed Waheed added, organizing such online video conferences between the private sectors of both countries was very important to explore prospects for business matchmakings and trade promotion, especially at a time when the Covid-19 pandemic has restricted international travels.

Huang Dezhi, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Commerce of Fujian Province in his address said that Pakistan and China were strategic partners and the leadership of both countries was determined to further strengthen economic ties.

Fujian Province wanted to diversify cooperation with Pakistan to further expand bilateral trade. The CPEC was creating new opportunities for long-term cooperation between the two countries, he further said added Fujian was ready for increasing industrial cooperation with Pakistan in technology transfer to further develop its industrial sector.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Diyar Khan, Consul General of Pakistan in Guangzhou said that organizing online conferences between the entrepreneurs of Pakistan and Fujian Province of China in post-Covid-19 scenario was a good initiative to explore bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

He said Fujian was a gateway for southeast China and Pakistan could achieve beneficial results for its economy by strengthening cooperation with it.

Pak-Fujian Province bilateral trade was around USD 1 billion, which could be further enhanced by more efforts from both sides. He said that China-Pakistan Joint Business and Investment Council should be activated to further strengthen trade and investment relations between the two countries.

Muhammad Irfan, Trade and Investment Counsellor of Pakistan in Guangzhou gave a presentation on trade, investment, and tourism opportunities in Pakistan.

He identified construction, food processing, automobile, textiles, logistics, information technology, and tourism as priority sectors for Chinese investors in Pakistan.

Muhammad Shakeel Munir, former Senior Vice President ICCI highlighted the potential of Pakistan’s marble and granite sector and stressed that Chinese investors should explore JVs and investment in Pakistan to produce valued added finished marble products that have great potential for exports around the world.

Representatives of Nan’an and Fu’an Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Nan’an Stone International Trade Enterprises Association and Fujian Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Mechanical and Electrical Technology Products also spoke at the occasion.

They highlighted the need for promoting mutual cooperation between Pakistan and Fujian Province.