A four-day China-Kashgar Export Commodities Fair would be held in Lahore in the end of October, while the same fair would be held in Kashgar from June 28 to July 2. The Chinese and the Punjab governments have decided to provide free stalls to all the exhibitors besides free stay and travel facilities to the respective official delegations at the fair.
Some 200 kinds of commodities in over 20 categories would be placed in the exhibition being arranged in collaboration with Kashgar government, government of Punjab and Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
The details of the exhibition were revealed by Chen Ji, Vice-Commissioner of Kashgar while speaking at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Wednesday. LCCI President Shahid Hassan Sheikh, Senior Vice President Yaqoob Tahir Izhar, Vice President Mubasher Sheikh, former President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jalil Malik and LCCI Standing Committee Chairman on Fairs and Exhibitions Jamil Naz were also present on the occasion.
Chen Ji said that the exhibition would provide an opportunity to Pakistani businessmen to identify areas of their choice for initiating business with their Chinese counterparts. Saying such exhibitions and trade fairs would promote China-Pakistan bilateral trade and economic cooperation, Chen Ji noted that active trade links and frequent exchange of delegations increased the volume of two-way trade.
He said that the consistency in policies and the economic reforms introduced by the present government had made Pakistan a hub of business activities. He said that the situation was so business-friendly and conducive that a large number of potential Chinese investors are keen to make investment in Pakistan but they are unable to make it only because of unavailability of proper information. If some sector-specific projects were introduced for them, it would help the Chinese businessmen to work out their investment plans in Pakistan, which has now become a land of opportunities.
Chen Ji said that there were ample opportunities for Sino-Pak trade and joint ventures in a number of sectors and this could only be materialised if chambers of commerce in Pakistan played their role in this regard. He said that rapid industrialisation and increasing foreign trade and economic cooperation demonstrate the unique appeal of China.
Pakistan and China are enjoying friendly relations for almost five decades. There is a close understanding between Pakistan and China on all the international issues. China has made significant contribution to the development of Pakistan through a number of projects. There has been increase of 315 percent in our bilateral trade over a period of 6 years. After the signing of FTA with China, the trade is expected to increase to $15 billion within the next 5 years from the present level of about $2.7 billion.