Islamabad, Aug 1 (Alliance News): Huang Pei, Commercial Head of LTEC, International Agriculture Development Company of China, expressed China’s interest in enhancing Pakistan’s agricultural potential through investment.
Speaking at an event organized by the Institute of Regional Studies and the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization, Research and Development (AIERD) on Thursday, Huang outlined China’s commitment to strengthening bilateral business and socioeconomic cooperation.
The event, moderated by AIERD CEO Shakeel Ahmed Ramay, was attended by researchers, scholars, and students. Huang highlighted the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan’s active role in various sectors including energy, infrastructure, textiles, telecommunications, and green production.
He noted the Chamber’s support for disaster relief efforts, such as a $17 million donation for flood relief in 2020, and its contributions to education and desalination projects in Balochistan and Sindh.
In discussing agricultural cooperation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Huang emphasized ongoing efforts to improve Pakistan’s agriculture, especially chili production, through contract farming, technological support, and farmer training.
He proposed advancements in technology, modern storage, expanded market access in China, rural job creation, and the establishment of an agricultural project incubator. Huang pointed out that Pakistan’s food import value reached $9 billion in 2023, suggesting increased agricultural cooperation could address this issue and boost food exports to China.
Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of IRS, reaffirmed the strong economic partnership between China and Pakistan, highlighting China’s significant investment in CPEC under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). With CPEC entering its second phase, he noted the focus on innovation, technology, mining, and agriculture—areas with substantial potential in Pakistan.
Shakeel Ahmed Ramay supported the notion of mutual benefits from agricultural cooperation, suggesting that importing food from Pakistan could reduce transportation costs for China. He also mentioned opportunities for exporting high-quality cheese from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and former FATA regions, and suggested that China could help establish research centers to boost agricultural productivity in Pakistan. Ramay emphasized the value of learning from China’s water management practices for agriculture.
Meta Description: China plans to invest in Pakistan’s agriculture, focusing on technology and market expansion. The collaboration aims to enhance chili production and address Pakistan’s food import challenges. Key figures from China and Pakistan discuss the potential benefits and future projects.
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