Pakistan’s Ambassador to China, Khalil Hashmi has stated that Pakistan and China have made significant progress in strengthening bilateral economic cooperation with more than 300 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and over three dozen joint venture agreements signed during the last two years, carrying a cumulative value exceeding US$13 billion.
Exchanging views at a meeting held during the visit of a high-level 70-member delegation from China’s IBI Group to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Monday, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi remarked that although MOUs serve as an initial step towards long-term cooperation, the Government of Pakistan has established a comprehensive mechanism to ensure their effective implementation and conversion into practical business agreements. He informed participants that Pakistan’s realization rate from MOUs to formal contracts and agreements has reached nearly 30 percent, which reflects the effectiveness of the government’s structured follow-up and execution framework.
Leader of the Delegation and Director IBI Group China Ms. Liu Junzhai, Chairman Businessmen Group Zubair Motiwala, Vice Chairmen BMG Mian Abrar Ahmed and Tariq Yousuf, President KCCI Rehan Hanif, Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, Vice President Arif Lakhani, Former Presidents along with members of KCCI Executive Committee and Chinese delegation were present at the meeting wherein a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also inked by President KCCI Rehan Hanif and Leader of the Delegation and Director IBI Group Ms. Liu Junzhai to forge strategic partnership to promote digital economy and industrial development.
Highlighting emerging opportunities in the energy and technology sectors, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi disclosed that Pakistan is currently engaged in active discussions with CATL, one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers specializing in lithium-ion and increasingly sodium-based battery technologies. He said Pakistan is encouraging the company to establish cooperation and investment initiatives in the country, expressing optimism that concrete developments may emerge during the forthcoming visit of the Prime Minister to China.
He observed that the global market is gradually shifting from lithium-ion batteries toward sodium-based battery technologies, adding that Pakistan possesses abundant raw materials required for such industries. He emphasized that Pakistan aims to capitalize on the first-mover advantage in this evolving sector and is working steadily toward attracting investment in advanced battery manufacturing and new energy technologies.
Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Liu Junzhai, Director of IBI Group stated that Karachi possesses immense potential to emerge as a leading regional hub for digital trade and smart industrial transformation, owing to its strategic maritime position, industrial ecosystem, and strong business community. Karachi is not only the commercial capital of Pakistan but also one of South Asia’s most important maritime gateways, serving as the center of industrial, financial, and global trade activities and acting as the beating heart of Pakistan’s economy, she added.
She emphasized that, in her view, Karachi represents not only the present of Pakistan but also its future, adding that IBI Group highly values the opportunity to establish a long-term and strategic partnership with Karachi Chamber.
Introducing the profile and scale of IBI Group, Ms. Liu Junzhai stated that the company is one of China’s leading industrial internet and digital trade platforms and is publicly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. She informed that the company has been deeply engaged in industrial digitalization and industrial e-commerce for many years and has achieved remarkable growth in recent years.
Chairman Businessmen Group, Zubair Motiwala stated that the visit of the high-level delegation of IBI Group to the Karachi Chamber reflects the deep-rooted friendship, strategic trust, and expanding economic partnership between Pakistan and China. He remarked that the relationship between the two countries has evolved into a strong model of economic, industrial, and development cooperation based on mutual trust, shared prosperity, and strategic collaboration.
He stated that the business community of Karachi highly values the confidence shown by Chinese enterprises in Pakistan’s economy and future potential. He further noted that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) being signed between Karachi Chamber and IBI Group would open new avenues of institutional connectivity, investment partnerships, trade promotion, technology transfer, and industrial collaboration between the business communities of both countries.
Chairman BMG remarked that despite global economic uncertainties and supply chain disruptions, bilateral trade between the two countries continues to grow steadily and has reached approximately US$23 to US$28 billion, reflecting the strength and growing integration of the relationship. He noted that Pakistan’s exports to China stood at approximately US$2.3 to US$2.8 billion during 2025, while imports from China exceeded US$20 billion. However, Zubair Motiwala emphasized that Pakistan remains concerned about the widening trade imbalance between the two countries, as Pakistan imports more than eight times the volume it exports to China.
He stressed the need to transform bilateral relations from a conventional import-export model towards joint manufacturing, industrial cooperation, technology transfer, value addition, and export-oriented investment.
Chairman BMG reiterated that KCCI remains fully committed to facilitating Chinese investors and promoting ease of doing business in Pakistan. He also described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as the flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has transformed Pakistan’s infrastructure and energy landscape.
He stated that the next phase of CPEC should focus more aggressively on industrial cooperation, Special Economic Zones, manufacturing relocation, technology partnerships, agriculture modernization, renewable energy, and the digital economy.
Speaking about renewable energy cooperation, Zubair Motiwala remarked that Pakistan’s industrial sector is rapidly shifting toward renewable and sustainable energy solutions due to rising electricity costs and energy security concerns. He pointed out that Pakistan has emerged as one of the fastest-growing solar markets globally, largely supported by imports of Chinese solar technologies and equipment. He stressed that Chinese expertise in solar energy, wind power, battery storage systems, smart grids, and industrial energy solutions could play a transformative role in supporting Pakistan’s clean energy transition.
Speaking about agriculture and food sectors, Zubair Motiwala observed that agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and offers substantial untapped potential for bilateral cooperation. He stated that Pakistan could significantly increase exports of rice, halal meat, seafood, fruits, sesame, dairy products, and processed foods to China, particularly in view of the growing demand created by China’s expanding middle class.
President KCCI, while warmly welcoming the high-level delegation of IBI Group, stated that it was a matter of immense pleasure and significance that IBI Group had chosen Pakistan for the formal launch of its Pakistan Digital Economy Headquarters, describing the initiative as a reflection of the deep-rooted friendship, strategic partnership, and expanding economic cooperation between Pakistan and China.
He observed that at a time when global economies are rapidly transitioning towards digital transformation, smart manufacturing, AI-driven commerce, and technology-enabled supply chains, Pakistan offers tremendous opportunities for strategic collaboration and investment. He added that Karachi, being Pakistan’s largest industrial, financial, and maritime center, serves as an ideal gateway for Chinese investors and enterprises seeking sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships.