The Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing and the Consulate-General in Shanghai, in collaboration with the Board of Investment (BOI), recently organized the fourth sector-specific B2B matchmaking event in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China. This event, focused on fostering joint ventures, trade, and investment partnerships within the textile and apparel industry, aimed to strengthen bilateral ties between leading Pakistani and Chinese enterprises.
Suzhou, known as a prominent hub for China’s textile industry, hosted the event, which included an opening session, individual B2B meetings, networking opportunities, and a closing session. A total of 11 leading Pakistani textile companies participated, including Crescent Bahuman Ltd., Fazal Cloth Mills Ltd., Kohinoor Mills Ltd., Magna Group, Mahmood Group, Matrix Sourcing, Naveena Exports, Nishat, Saritow Spinning Mills Ltd., Shams Textile Mills Ltd., and Servis Long March. These companies engaged with 37 major Chinese textile enterprises, such as SUMEC Textile Co. Ltd., JD United, Anhui Huamao Textile Co. Ltd., and Yuyue Home Textile Co. Ltd., exploring new avenues for trade, investment, and collaborative ventures.
In his address, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi, highlighted the strategic advantages of investing in Pakistan’s textile sector. He emphasized Pakistan’s preferential access to global markets through agreements such as the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (CPFTA), the European Union’s GSP+ scheme, and the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). Ambassador Hashmi pointed out that investing in Pakistan not only opens doors to lucrative international markets but also provides access to the country’s long-standing expertise and a vertically integrated supply chain.
The Ambassador expressed gratitude to the Board of Investment, the Consulate-General of Pakistan in Shanghai, and the participating companies for their contributions to the event’s success. He urged businesses to leverage the opportunities presented by the event and develop mutually beneficial partnerships with Chinese counterparts.
Secretary of the Board of Investment, Rahim Hayat Qureshi, delivered a comprehensive presentation on Pakistan’s robust investment policies and facilitation mechanisms for the textile sector. He elaborated on several incentives, including tax benefits, streamlined regulatory processes, and infrastructure support within Special Economic Zones (SEZs). Qureshi also highlighted Pakistan’s ability to adapt to global textile trends, positioning the country as an ideal destination for innovation-driven investments in the sector.
The event also featured a success story from Omer Saeed of Servis Long March, who shared insights on his company’s partnership with a Chinese firm. Their collaboration has yielded significant economic benefits, showcasing the potential of Pakistan-China joint ventures. This success story served as a motivating example for other participants to explore deeper and long-term collaborations.
Following the B2B matchmaking sessions, participants agreed to maintain ongoing communication, exchange further notes, and plan follow-up visits to capitalize on the opportunities identified during the event. This initiative is part of a broader effort directed by Pakistan’s Prime Minister to enhance the country’s industrial base and strengthen economic ties with China, underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.
The matchmaking event not only served as a platform to deepen bilateral business relationships but also as a crucial step in positioning Pakistan’s textile industry as a key player in global trade. With continued collaboration and investment in the sector, Pakistan aims to further boost its textile exports and establish itself as a leading exporter in the global market.