KUNMING:
With the growing popularity of Pakistani products such as fresh fruits, pink Himalayan salt and handcrafted goods among Chinese consumers, more and more Pakistani companies are using CPEC and the expo platform to reach Chinese buyers.
At this year’s 9th China-South Asia Expo, Pakistan’s pavilion occupied a prominent space. Many Pakistani businesspeople brought freshly made, locally sourced products directly from Pakistan to showcase at the event. According to exhibitors, convenient logistics, efficient sea freight services and streamlined customs clearance have made it easier for them to bring their goods to Chinese customers.
Faisal from Karachi brought rosewood furniture, wool scarves, handcrafted copperware and gemstone jewellery for his Chinese buyer. “It’s now quite easy to ship goods from Pakistan to China,” said Faisal. “From Karachi to any city in China, we can get our shipments delivered within 15 days. Tariffs are low and customs clearance is smooth. Everyone knew we were participating in the expo, so our goods were cleared efficiently at ports like Huangpu in Guangzhou and Tianjin. In fact, the economy is showing signs of improvement this year. I’m hopeful sales will be better than last year.”
Another trader said: “It’s not difficult to ship products to China – we use sea freight. Help is coming from all directions and the organisers along with the local government have made sure everything is well-organised and runs smoothly.”
