The "Economic Corridor" Brings a Win-win Light to China Pakistan's Economic and Trade Cooperation

"The China Pakistan Economic Corridor is an important flagship project of China's' the Belt and Road 'initiative." At the just concluded 7th China South Asia Expo, Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, President of the Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that Pakistan's strategic position in energy and its cooperation with China through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor make Pakistan an important participant in regional trade and economic growth.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of the launch of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor. According to reports, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor has brought a total of 25.4 billion US dollars in direct investment to Pakistan, creating 192000 job opportunities, adding 6000 megawatts of electricity, 510 kilometers of highways, and 886 kilometers of the national core transmission network.
The China Pakistan Economic Corridor has also injected new impetus into the development of foreign trade enterprises in both countries. The interviewed companies from both countries stated that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor has not only created unprecedented convenience for bilateral trade, but also strengthened their confidence and determination to continue expanding bilateral trade and investment.
The path of trade is even more the path of friendship
Tashkurgan County China Pakistan Friendship Trading Co., Ltd. is an international logistics service company that covers multiple international logistics businesses such as import and export goods transportation, warehousing, international procurement, customs declaration and inspection. The chairman of the company, Yuan Youjun, told the International Business Daily reporter, "Due to smooth roads and trade facilitation, in recent years, Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County in Xinjiang and Gwadar Port in Pakistan have been connected, opening up the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, and the company's trade with Pakistan has grown rapidly
In November 2016, Yuan Youjun led his company's employees to participate in the first transportation business of the China Pakistan Joint Fleet. Starting from Kashgar, he traveled 3115 kilometers along the China Pakistan Economic Corridor to Gwadar Port, successfully completing the transportation task, accumulating experience for the company's transportation business through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and opening a new chapter in the company's business.

As a veteran who has been engaged in China Pakistan trade for 20 years, I deeply feel the significant significance of the construction of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor for the development of our company. It has brought us more convenience than just smooth roads. "Yuan Youjun gave an example to reporters, saying that previously, due to incomplete communication infrastructure, he could only contact his trading partners through fixed line telephones. With the increasing improvement of communication facilities, we can now see the shipment status of each other's warehouses through videos, greatly improving efficiency. Through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor, I can more conveniently sell Chinese goods to countries such as Pakistan. "Pakistani businessman Hassan Jawad told the International Business Daily reporter that his father was a former foreign trade merchant and began his foreign trade business in China in 1995. The construction of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor has provided me with many conveniences for my business, and the most intuitive feeling is that compared to when my father was engaged in foreign trade, the time for Chinese goods to be transported to Pakistan has been significantly reduced now

The China Pakistan Economic Corridor not only brings unprecedented opportunities for bilateral trade, but also witnesses the long friendship between the two peoples. According to Yuan Youjun's recollection, in the process of trade with Pakistan, many small things left him fresh in his memory. One winter, the roads at the border between the two countries were severely covered in ice and snow, which hindered our vehicles transporting goods from moving forward. Despite the harsh cold, Pakistani personnel came in with bulldozers and excavators to help our vehicles clear a smooth road. "Yuan Youjun recalled," It was the enthusiasm of the Chinese and Pakistani people that melted the ice and snow, connecting the trade and friendship paths between the two sides
Deepen cooperation and create prosperity and development together
The "iron clad" friendship between China and Pakistan has also given entrepreneurs from both countries confidence in the prospects of bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Yuan Youjun stated: The Pakistani people are very fond of various products produced in China. Zhejiang's fabrics, Guangdong's small household appliances, Xinjiang's dried fruits, and other products have a broad market and good reputation in Pakistan. Especially in the past two years, China's new energy vehicles have gradually entered many Pakistani households and are becoming more and more popular among local consumers. At the same time, Pakistan's pine nuts, blankets, and wooden handicrafts are also being sold Expand the Chinese market. It can be foreseen that with the deepening of China Pakistan cooperation, the economic and trade cooperation between the two sides will become even closer
Hassan Jawad also expressed the same viewpoint. From electronic products such as Xiaomi and Huawei smartphones to consumer goods such as clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and daily necessities used by households, made in China has become an important part of our lives. As a Pakistani businessman, I hope to bring more high-quality Chinese products back to Pakistan
At the same time, China's investment environment is also favored by Pakistani investors. In March of this year, Hassan Jawad opened his own company in Yiwu. It's very convenient to start a company here. I took my passport to the window to sign, submitted the application materials, and the next day I obtained my business license. Hassan Jawade introduced that he will continue to increase investment in China, planning to open a cosmetics factory in China within two years and sell the products to more countries.
China's policies are open and inclusive, with rapid technological development, especially leading the world in the field of new energy. Online payment services are also very safe and convenient, and coupled with the continuous deepening of China Pakistan economic and trade cooperation, I believe that China will develop better and my business in China will continue to grow, "said Hassan Jawade.