Kashi, a border city in south-western part of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, north-west China, will host a four-day export commodity fair in Karachi on June 24. It is aimed at encouraging bilateral trade and exploring the new avenues of business co-operation with South and Central Asia through Pakistan. Official sources told newsmen that the fair was a part of the ongoing efforts to further strengthen the Sino-Pak economic co-operation, and would provide an opportunity to undertake joint ventures. More than 1,000 Chinese and overseas businesses are expected to attend the fair, which is being arranged by Xinjiang regional bureau of foreign trade.
Chinese side is also prepared to set up factories in Pakistan in the areas of common interest. About the future bilateral trade, they said Xinjiang region could serve as a hub for economic activities. They proposed that Pakistan's major prominent companies should establish their representative offices in the western region, exploring new avenues of bilateral co-operation.
Currently, Pakistan's trade with Xinjiang is being carried out at low-business level. "There is a need to promote bilateral trade through legal means, with the participation of major business companies," the sources added.
Recently, the two countries have agreed to establish a joint frontier free trade zone to develop mutually beneficial co-operative partnership. As per the initial plan, the zone will be covering 10,000 square meters and will include 100 stalls, 50 each for Pakistan and China. It will be located at Khunjirab dry port within Tashikurgan County.
NWFP Minister for local government Sardar Mohammad Idrees during his recent visit to China hoped that the proposed free trade zone would give boost to their bilateral trade.
He said his province would also hold a China-Pakistan joint fair to show their trade potential, providing impetus to their bilateral ties.
Meanwhile, Abbottabad and Kashgar have been declared as sister-cities under an agreement, signed during the international fair, which held at Kashi.