8th Kunming Fair in China Pakistan Declared Theme Country Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI

Karachi: Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, President FPCCI, has expressed his gratitude that Pakistan has been honored as it was declared as the Theme Country – where Governor of Yunnan Province, China, was the Chief Guest and either ministers or presidents of national chambers from huge economies like China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam were present. Additionally, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Myanmar were also in attendance.

Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh stressed that the importance and strategic nature of Pakistan – China economic relations manifested in the fact that their bilateral trade has crossed $20 billion psychological mark.

8th South Asia Expo (CSAE) – a six-day event of global significance – is underway in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. The expo welcomed over 2,000 local, regional and international exhibitors from 82 countries from all regions of the world.

It is pertinent to note that Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, SVP FPCCI, lead the Pakistani delegation to attend the high-profile 8th China – South Asia Expo in Kunming, China. The delegation includes the likes of Mr. Shabbir Mansha, former VP FPCCI & Chairman of FPCCI’s Pak – China Business Council (FPCCI-PCBC); Mr. Kareem Aziz Malik, Chairman Capital Office FPCCI & former VP FPCCI; Mr. Adeel Siddiqui, former VP FPCCI & President of Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) and Sahibzadi Mahin Khan, President of Korangi Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KWCCI) & Convener of FPCCI’s central standing committee on foreign affairs, trade and investment.

Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon highlighted that last year CSAE draw more than 4 million visitors and generated over $100 billion in foreign trade turnover; which lead to the signing and implementation of over 3,000 projects. Data from China’s Ministry of Commerce show that, in 2023, trade between China and South Asian countries reached $200 billion.
Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon informed that 400 booths of Pakistani companies are showcasing their world-class textiles, leather garments, furniture, brass & chrome art, handicrafts, marble, carpets & rugs and food products, etc.

Exhibitors hailed the role of Federal Ministry of Commerce, Pakistan and FPCCI in promotion of Pakistan, its products and facilitating B2B matchmaking on an international stage.

However, Mr. Saquib Fayyaz Magoon, received some complaints and apprehensions from the Pakistani exhibitors that the allotment process of booths should have been more transparent and better organized. He committed that FPCCI will raise the issue with the Pakistani authorities to avoid any such issues in future editions of the expo.

Mr. Shabbir Mansha stated that CSAE is an enormous opportunity for Pakistani business community to attract the huge Chinese economy of $22 trillion for exports, investments, JVs, transfer of technology and industrial collaborations.

Mr. Adeel Siddiqui emphasized that there is a big demand of Pakistani textiles and handicrafts in China; nevertheless, our cottage industry needs to synchronize with Chinese traditions, standards and tastes in order to produce exportable products.

Brig Iftikhar Opel, SI (M), Retd.
Secretary General