Pakistan, China to enhance bilateral trade relations by exploring new avenues for growth

Islamabad: Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral trade relations by exploring new avenues for growth.

Both countries have also agreed to convene a meeting of the Committee on Trade in Goods under the Free Trade Agreement framework.

Jam Kamal Khan, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, met with Ling Ji, Vice Minister of Commerce for the People’s Republic of China, on the sidelines of the SCO Ministerial Conference. Senior officials from both the Pakistani and Chinese commerce ministries were also in attendance. During the meeting, the Chinese Vice Minister congratulated Pakistan on hosting the first-ever ministerial meeting of the SCO Ministers Responsible for Economy & Foreign Trade. He expressed China’s full support for Pakistan’s leadership in the event.

The discussion focused on enhancing trade opportunities, particularly within the framework of the Free Trade Agreement.

Both sides emphasized the potential for growth, especially in the agricultural sector, with China expressing keen interest in importing high-quality agricultural products from Pakistan.

In addition, China invited Pakistan to participate in this year’s China International Import Exhibition in Shanghai, where a substantial exhibition space has been allocated for Pakistani companies.

Pakistan confirmed its participation, noting that 33 companies would take part and that a dedicated country pavilion would be established. Furthermore, the two sides discussed the importance of operationalizing Gwadar Port to its full potential. The Pakistani delegation informed their Chinese counterparts that, under the direction of the Prime Minister, a high-level committee had recently submitted recommendations aimed at optimizing the port’s operations.

Both parties agreed that Gwadar Port’s swift operationalization is crucial for boosting trade between the two nations.