The establishment of “China Focus Cell” at Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) dedicated to enhancing trade relations between China and Pakistan seems a strategic change of external trade focus from West to East.
It is important to note that the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s recent visit to China has given a new impetus to Pak-China Economic Cooperation which will usher in a new era of bilateral trade between two brotherly countries. The visit culminated in the signing of MoUs between Islamabad and Beijing which will reinvigorate trade relationship between both the countries.
Over the years, China has become key trading partner of Pakistan, resulting in increase in export to China which reached US$ 2,620 million in the year 2012 from US$ 436 million in the year 2005. This increase is predominantly attributed to Pakistan’s engagement in Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China that came into effect in July 2007 whose second phase has started this year. Pakistan’s imports from China stood at US$ 6,687 million in the year 2012 indicating hefty trade gap which needs to be tilted in favor of Pakistan through proactive participation of all stakeholders. The Chinese market is attractive for a number of Pakistani products especially textile and textile products, leather and leather garments, fresh fruits, seafood, cutlery, cement, ores, marble and handicrafts.
Development of Kashgar-Gwadar Economic Corridor will be extremely helpful in bridging gap between Gwadar, Baltistan & North West Region of China by bringing tremendous trade opportunities in the region. TDAP’s newly established China Focus Cell is headed by Director General (Marketing Division Asia) and staffed by a dedicated team of professionals, who will highlight trade opportunities for Pakistan in China and act as a catalyst in bringing about desired results in coordination with all relevant quarters.
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) envisages outstanding trade opportunities after the epoch-making visit and to capitalize on trade prospects, it has established a “China Focus Cell” at TDAP’s Headquarters, Karachi on the directives of the Secretary TDAP.
