Pakistan could tap new investment and export opportunities through closer industrial cooperation with China’s Zhejiang province under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a business leader said, citing the province’s manufacturing strength and digital economy as a model to emulate.
Syed Jawad Ali Shah, Senior Advisor, CPEC Investment Department, Belt and Road, Zhejiang Chamber of Commerce, and President of Pakistani Community Zhejiang, said Zhejiang has evolved into one of China’s most dynamic economic regions due to consistent policymaking, a deep industrial base, and a business-friendly regulatory environment.
He highlighted Yiwu as a global trading hub handling large-scale daily exports, supported by advanced logistics and integrated supply chains. “Under CPEC and the Belt and Road Initiative, there are vast opportunities for industrial cooperation, joint ventures, and technology transfer between Pakistan and Zhejiang Province,” he said, adding that such collaboration could support Pakistan’s export diversification and industrial upgrading.
According to Shah, sectors with immediate potential include textiles, machinery, e-commerce, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He said investor-friendly policies and the use of modern technology in Zhejiang’s industrial zones offer practical lessons for Pakistan, where firms face high energy costs, limited access to finance, and weak export competitiveness.
He said efforts are underway to connect Pakistani businesses with Chinese partners through business-to-business platforms, focusing on facilitating joint ventures and expanding market access. “Our priority is to build reliable channels where investors from both countries can confidently collaborate,” he added.
Pakistan’s ability to benefit will depend on domestic reforms, including easing regulatory bottlenecks, improving logistics infrastructure, and ensuring policy continuity.
Increased investment in Pakistan could support job creation and export earnings, while businesses may gain access to technology and new markets, he said, adding that businesses in Pakistan should engage further with Chinese counterparts to translate proposals into formal projects under CPEC’s next phase.
