BEIJING: The bilateral trade between Pakistan and China’s Xinjiang region has surpassed over $319 million in the year 2014-15, showing 114.9 percent growth over the corresponding period of preceding year.
Xinjiang Commerce Department Director General He Yiming, while addressing a media seminar held in Urumqi, said that the economic ties between the neighbouring countries have further grown after President Xi’s visit to Islamabad last year. He added, “We need to do much more for developing our economic interaction under the CPEC.”
He Yiming hoped that the road network between Xinjinag and Pakistan’s border area will be fully functional within next few months. Up-gradation of KKH will also be completed soon. This, he said will lead to increase transportation and commodities’ exchange between the two sides.
He admitted that the trade between the two countries is not matching to the heights of their diplomatic ties. Much more need to be done to meet the needs and expectations of their people. Since, balance of payment is highly in favour of China, the government of Xinjiang laid greater focus on enhancing its import from Pakistan. For this purpose, he added, they were encouraging Pakistani businessmen to visit Xinjiang to find out the trade opportunities.
He Yiming further said the Chinese top leadership attached high priority to strengthening their economic relations with Pakistan under CPEC. The government of Xinjinag was taking necessary steps to that direction accordingly.
Recently their senior officials and members of think-tanks met at Karamay, Xinjiang’s oil city, and decided to increase their economic interaction under CPEC. Pakistan’s sea-Port Gwadar and Karamay were declared as sister-cities to undertake joint venture for the development of road network infrastructure and energy-related projects.
