ISLAMABAD: The newly appointed Economic Counsellor of China to Pakistan, Yang Guangyuan, held a courtesy meeting with Pakistan’s caretaker Minister for Commerce and Industries, Dr. Gohar Ejaz, on Wednesday.
The meeting followed two successful visits to China by the commerce minister, which were part of the intensified interaction between the two nations in the field of trade.
Guangyuan extended warm felicitations to Dr. Ejaz for his successful trip to China, emphasizing the positive measures taken to foster economic cooperation between the two sides.
Minister Ejaz conveyed the warmth and hospitality extended by the Chinese officials during his trip to China.
Dr. Ejaz said that the primary purpose of his recent trip to China was to witness first-hand the remarkable progress China has achieved on the one hand and to seek new market segments for Pakistani exports on the other side.
He unveiled an ambitious five-year vision to boost bilateral trade between Pakistan and China, setting a target of 25 billion dollars for Pakistan’s exports.
Guangyuan welcomed the minister’s sentiments for boosting bilateral trade and economic cooperation and expressed Beijing’s commitment to stand with Pakistan, stressing the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations as “iron brothers.”
Pakistan-China Trade
He conveyed China’s goal to increase its trade volume from the current 27 trillion dollars to 32 trillion dollars in the coming years, affirming Beijing’s willingness to include Pakistan in this trade expansion.
Dr. Ejaz emphasized his vision for Pakistan’s economic development through “trade, not aid,” resonating with Guangyuan’s sentiments.
Potential collaboration between the two sides in setting up export processing zones was also discussed.
The Chinese diplomat expressed interest in relocating industry from China and thus utilizing Pakistan’s export processing zones and cost-effective labor for accessing Central Asian and African markets.
