Mr. Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, President FPCCI, has apprised that the bilateral trade volume of Pakistan with China has crossed the psychological barrier of $20 billion and stood at $20.8 billion in FY22; and, China has emerged as the most important source of investments into Pakistan’s energy and infrastructure sectors. China is the most reliable economic partner of Pakistan, he added.

It is pertinent to note that H. E. Mr. Yang Yundong, Consul General of China in Karachi, has visited FPCCI Head Office; and, assured the business community of Pakistan for his full support in forging B2B cooperation to further enhance trade, investments and economic relations.

Mr. Irfan Iqbal Sheikh stressed that despite continuous investments by China, Pakistan is still facing a trade imbalance with China; with imports from China showing an upward trend; as opposed to the downward trajectory depicted by Pakistan’s exports.

FPCCI Chief stated that, in 2021, Pakistan’s exports to China stood at $3.04 Billion, a major share of which was by cotton ($826.32 million); copper &copper products ($790.27 million); cereals ($382.368 million); oil seeds ($152.97 million) and fish, crustaceans & related products ($161.217 million).

Mr. Irfan Iqbal Sheikh explained that potential Pakistani products that have the following potential to increase Pakistani exports to the Chinese market include: different varieties of rice ($1.12 billion); medical or surgical instruments ($400.27 million); apparel & clothing ($873.77 million); leather & leather products ($176.43 million); cement & associated products ($147.75 million); undenatured ethyl alcohol ($164 million); fish, crustaceans &related products ($157.14 million); polyethene terephthalate ($140.82 million) and mangoes ($20.94 million).

Mr. Jawaid Ilyas, Chairman of FPCCI’s Pakistan – China Business Council, proposed that, under the massive relocation of many labor-intensive industries out of China, they can prioritize Pakistan as their new destination. Pakistan has a 64 percent young population; and, abundant labor force as a result. This will help Pakistan a great deal through industrialization; transfer of technology and employment generation.