BEIJING: Pakistan’s exports of products and services to China increased by 39.44% in the first five months of the current fiscal year (2023-24) compared to the same period in the previous year.
While commenting on the cause of this massive increase, Omer Malik, chairman of King’s Bridge Investments, told China Economic Net (CEN) that there were several factors, one of which was that there was a lot of marketing and trade activity between the two countries after the lockdown was lifted.
“For example, the five-day China International Fair for Trade in Services (CITFIS) has provided an opportunity for Pakistani businesses to present their products and services alongside Pakistan’s top leaders.
Following that, in Pakistan, the 2023 International Textile Exhibition (TEXPO) was followed by the Food and Agri Expo, and most recently, a healthcare and engineering conference was conducted in Lahore.
At those events, we had the opportunity to demonstrate our productivity, quality, and resources. So, I believe this was a combination in which Pakistan demonstrated its potential.”Omer Malik explained.
According to Chinese Customs records, sesame seeds were the most valuable and abundant import from Pakistan.
More than 134 million kilogrammes of sesame seeds worth 235.36 million US dollars were sold to China from July to November 2023, a 480 percent increase over shipments during the same time last year. This will undoubtedly be one of the most significant developments since the beginning of CPEC’s second phase.
Dr. Amjad Magsi, a professor at the University of Punjab, feels that Pakistan and China comprehend each other’s potential and strengths.
“Pakistan is the fifth greatest producer of sesame seeds, and when China provided ways and approached us, we had excellent results. Pakistan has excellent agricultural and seed production capabilities,” he remarked.
Omer Malik discovered that Chinese businesses introduced genetically altered technologies and seeds to Pakistan.
“They continue to adapt their techniques to our native land, and we have observed the successful production of sesame seeds.” They are not just generating it, but we are also seeing tremendous yields,” he explained. He believes that if Chinese technology is employed correctly, the benefits of sesame seeds will expand, just as with other Chinese-made items.
