RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Yunnan Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee’s vice chairman, Na Jie, officially invited the Secretary TDAP to visit China Kunming Import & Export Fair and China South Asia Exposition that will be held from June 12 to 18, 2018 in Chinese city at Kunming.

The offer came during a visit by a high-level six- member Chinese Yunnan Province’s delegation to the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, here on Friday.

Na Jie led the delegation and apprised TDAP authorities of the scope and objectives of said two exhibitions and available opportunities for participants from Pakistan.

TDAP remains a regular participants in the fair and this year, it will go with 168 booths in different product sectors.

The Secretary TDAP welcomed the delegation and highlighted the role of Ministry of Commerce and TDAP in enhancing bilateral trade relations between the two friendly countries that are based on sustained cooperation, longstanding ties and business to business facilitation in the field of trade and economic cooperation.

Na Jie briefed on the trade relations between Pakistan and Yunnan Province. He shared the economic indicators of Chinese Yunnan province having $300 billion GDP with population of 47 million. Yunnan province is in close proximity with South Asia and can play important role in enhancing bilateral trade relations with Pakistan. He said Pakistan’s exports to Yunnan province stood around $72 million in 2017. He said that under Belt and Road Initiative of President Xi Jinping, CPEC is an important component. He suggested that bilateral trade can be increased through arranging trade forums, symposiums, exchange of delegations, entrepreneurs’ and official visits between both countries. He said Pakistan offers important avenues for investment in different sectors.

Secretary TDAP highlighted various issues being faced by Pakistani exporters in getting Chinese visa. Na Jie assured to take up the issue with Chinese embassy in Pakistan.

The secretary TDAP thanked the delegation for their visit and expressed hope that trade relations with Yunnan province would be enhanced further. The guests were presented with the souvenirs at the conclusion of the meeting.