Chinese showing interest in Pakistani handicrafts

22 Mar, 2004

A large number of local residents and businessmen visited the handicrafts stall, set up at national art exhibition in Beijing this week, showing keen interest in the products, especially those made by marble and onyx.
Pakistani craft work envisages rich potential to be popular in China, said a visitor. A Pakistani businessman Khalid Azam who arranged the stall, said he received good response from the local people.
Pakistan, he said can easily increase its export to China, it import duties by the Chinese side are brought to a reasonable level.
At present they are paying 20 to 40 percent duty on the import of handicrafts that made them highly expensive in the local market.
Azam suggested that Pakistan should export only its value-added goods.
The government, he said should not allow export of valuable marble and onyx in raw form.
He pointed out some Chinese companies import raw marble and sell the same in value-added form with innovative designs on comparatively cheap price.
He said Pakistani manufacturers also need improving the quality of their products to make them compatible in the international market.

Read Comments