LAHORE: The Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Animal Agriculture Association of Jinan to strengthen institutional cooperation in livestock modernization and dairy value chain development.
It was highlighted in a think-tank session held here at PCJCCI Secretariat.
PCJCCI President Nazir Hussain said that enhanced collaboration between Pakistan and China in the dairy sector, combined with growing demand for premium dairy products in the Chinese market, can unlock a modern growth pathway for Pakistan’s domestic dairy industry. He noted that the MoU aims to promote cooperation in dairy technology transfer, modern livestock management practices, skill development, research linkages, and investment facilitation.
He stressed that Pakistan is among the top five milk-producing countries globally, generating more than 60 million tons of milk annually. Increased joint ventures and export-oriented initiatives, he said, could substantially strengthen Pakistan’s economy. He further observed that China considers Pakistan an important dairy producer within South Asia, and by leveraging affordable Chinese technologies and adopting advanced production and management systems, Pakistan can significantly enhance efficiency and competitiveness in its dairy sector.
Highlighting China’s progressive institutional models, he referred to the Animal Agriculture Association of Jinan, a leading industrial and non-profit organization affiliated with the Jinan Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, as an example of effective industry-government coordination. With over three decades of development, the association integrates industry resources and provides comprehensive services across the livestock and dairy value chain, including technical support, policy coordination, training platforms, and market facilitation.
The joint chamber’s Senior Vice President Brig (Retd) Mansoor Saeed Sheikh expressed keen interest in expanding cooperation opportunities within Pakistan’s dairy landscape. He shared that China’s dairy imports have grown at a compound annual rate of over 12 percent in recent years, with strong demand for products such as milk powder, liquid milk, whey, cheese, butter, and cream. He emphasized that structured collaboration with Chinese industry associations and training institutions could accelerate Pakistan’s dairy modernization and human resource development.
He also highlighted China’s focus on skill enhancement in animal husbandry, citing initiatives such as the Jinan Animal Husbandry Industry Craftsman College, which provides integrated teaching, practical training, and research opportunities for industry professionals.
Zafar Iqbal, PCJCCI Vice President, pointed out that China currently relies heavily on dairy imports from countries like New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Australia. He stressed the need for proactive government measures to boost Pakistan’s dairy exports and improve domestic production standards. He also underlined persistent challenges faced by local farmers, including inadequate training, lack of modern storage and transportation systems, and limited cold chain infrastructure, urging authorities to introduce capacity-building and technological support programs in collaboration with Chinese partners.
PCJCCI Secretary General Salahuddin Hanif added that animal husbandry remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s agricultural economy, particularly in Balochistan where Gwadar Port, developed under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is located. He noted that the province holds strong potential for cattle and dairy farming, and extending China’s advanced animal agriculture value chain models into Pakistan could create mutually beneficial outcomes and promote sustainable bilateral cooperation.
He concluded that structured engagement with Chinese industry associations, expert think tanks, and enterprise networks will play a vital role in enabling Pakistan’s transition toward a modern, technology driven dairy ecosystem aligned with international standards and evolving market demands.
