The Chemical & Coating Asia Exhibition commenced at the Karachi Expo Centre on Tuesday under the auspices of the Pakistan Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA) in collaboration with Ecommerce Gateway. The three-day event, being held from May 12 to 14 in Hall No. 3, is part of the 23rd International Trade and Industrial Fair (ITIF Asia).
Sindh Governor Syed Nehal Hashmi inaugurated the exhibition alongside PCDMA Chairman Salim Valimuhammad. The ceremony was attended by President of Ecommerce Gateway Dr. Khurshid Nizam, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi, IBI co-founder and Senior Vice President Liu Jun Zhai, a delegation of Chinese traders, as well as prominent industry figures including Chaudhry Naseer, VC Shariq Feroz, Nasiruddin Fateh, Shahid Bashir, Shakeel Fateh, Farid Vavda, Mahmood Salam, and Nadeem Baig.
Speaking at the opening, Salim Valimuhammad emphasized the importance of strengthening Pakistan-China chemical trade. “Our clear target is to expand bilateral chemical trade from the current $2 billion to $5 billion in the coming years. To achieve this, both countries must move beyond imports and exports and focus on joint industrial ventures and technology transfer,” he said.
He noted that Pakistan’s total imports during the first ten months of the current fiscal year reached $57.19 billion. Between July and December 2025 alone, imports of agricultural and industrial chemicals stood at $5.37 billion — a 9 percent increase compared to the previous year. Imports of plastic materials amounted to $1.44 billion. In 2023, Pakistan imported chemicals worth $2 billion from China.
“Chinese dyes color our textiles, Chinese chemicals power our factories, and Chinese technology provides jobs to thousands of Pakistanis. This relationship is not merely commercial; it forms the very foundation of Pakistan’s industrial sector,” Mr. Valimuhammad added.
The exhibition aims to provide a comprehensive platform for manufacturers, suppliers, and stakeholders in the chemical and coating industries to explore modern technologies and establish business linkages under one roof.
