Pakistan Looks to Expand Business Ties with China at CIIE 2024

Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, has highlighted significant opportunities for Pakistani businesses to enhance their presence in China during the ongoing 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai. He described the event as a critical platform for developing nations, including Pakistan, to showcase their products and connect with the vast Chinese market.

This year, more than two dozen Pakistani companies are participating, displaying a diverse range of traditional handicrafts, textiles, and agricultural products, including renowned rice and clothing brands. Ambassador Hashmi told China Economic Net (CEN) that the Expo serves as a unique opportunity to establish valuable connections with Chinese consumers and businesses.

The Ambassador praised China’s economic model, emphasizing how its openness and shared prosperity provide a strong pathway for Pakistani small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow. He urged Pakistani companies to capitalize on China’s booming e-commerce sector, which is playing an increasingly vital role in the country’s economic growth.

Hashmi encouraged businesses in sectors like food, electronics, and IT to take advantage of this dynamic market and partner with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to gain access to new opportunities. Reflecting on last year’s event, where over 3,400 exhibitors and 410,000 professional visitors participated, he noted the significant number of business leaders and investors actively looking for partnerships.

With China’s imports and exports reaching 41.76 trillion yuan ($5.88 trillion) in 2023, Hashmi urged Pakistani companies to take full advantage of this growing market by working closely with TDAP and expanding their export networks to strengthen trade ties between the two nations.