New era of Sino-Pak trade ties: First shipment of dried chillies sent to China

ISLAMABAD: The caretaker Federal Minister for Commerce and Industries, Dr Gohar Ejaz, announced a significant breakthrough in Pakistan’s agricultural exports to China with the inaugural shipment of dried chillies.

The Commerce Ministry stated that this achievement was made possible through the efforts of Litong Food Co Ltd, marking the beginning of a new era in the trade relationship between Pakistan and China.

Ejaz extended congratulations to Litong Food Co Ltd for their extraordinary feat and expressed sincere appreciation for the unwavering support of the Chinese government in creating a substantial market for Pakistani goods within China.

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“I am delighted to announce that the first-ever consignment of dried chillies is on its way to China. This achievement not only showcases the capabilities of our exporters but also highlights the potential for further collaboration between Pakistani and Chinese businesses,” stated Ejaz.

The minister emphasised that the exports of Pakistan’s products to China have the potential to exceed $20 billion in the coming years. However, achieving this ambitious goal requires concerted efforts from Pakistani agricultural exporters. Ejaz encouraged the exporters to uphold high-quality standards, increase productivity, and implement effective marketing strategies to meet the expectations of the Chinese market.

Acknowledging the crucial role of the Chinese companies in the process, the minister expressed optimism about the prospects of collaboration. “If our companies can meet the standards set by the Chinese authorities, our exports can soar. I congratulate the Ministry of Commerce, the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, and our Mission in China for their dedicated work in finalising protocols and completing compliance formalities in just four months,” added Ejaz.

Benefiting from the Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement, Pakistan enjoys a competitive edge with zero tariffs, giving it a unique position in the region. The minister highlighted the immense potential for growth in the Chinese market, especially in the agricultural sector and urged the adoption of new technologies such as hybrid seeds and openness to corporate farming.

Ejaz expressed gratitude to the Chinese counterparts for their warm reception during his recent visit to China. “Our Chinese brothers have opened their doors for us, be it the Ministry of Commerce, the Agriculture Ministry, COFCO—the largest agricultural goods importer with $100 billion worth of imports—or the mayors of the cities we visited. The enduring Pak-China relationship has withstood the test of time, and this dried chilli export will pave the way for Pakistani agricultural goods to reach new markets in China,” Ejaz added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023