Pakistan and China are set to expand their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to include additional items from the crucial chemicals and dyes sectors, following a high-level meeting between Chinese diplomatic officials and a leading Pakistani trade body.

According to Pakistan Chemicals and Dyes Merchants Association report today, the agreement also includes plans for a dedicated China Solo Exhibition and an Investment Summit to be held in the city, aimed at significantly boosting bilateral commerce and investment.

The commitment was made during discussions between the Consul General of China in Karachi, H.E Yang Yundong, and a delegation from the Pakistan Chemicals and Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA), led by its Chairman, Salim Valimuhammad, at the Chinese Consulate.

The PCDMA delegation presented several proposals designed to bolster industrial and commercial relations between the two nations. The Chinese Envoy welcomed the suggestions and offered his full support for the initiatives, which are intended to deepen bilateral economic cooperation.

In a significant move to facilitate business exchanges, Consul General Yang Yundong assured the delegation that PCDMA members would receive priority processing for visas. He also affirmed that the Chinese consulate would work to include more products, especially within the chemicals and dyes categories, under the framework of the existing FTA.

During the talks, Chairman Valimuhammad emphasized the necessity of organizing a China Solo Exhibition in Karachi. This event would provide a platform for Chinese companies to showcase their products and connect with local industry leaders. The Consul General concurred and pledged to collaborate with the PCDMA for the prompt arrangement of the exhibition.

Furthermore, both parties agreed on the strategic importance of a China Investment Summit in Karachi to attract Chinese capital into Pakistan”s growing industrial sectors. The PCDMA chairman specifically requested the inclusion of items under customs tariff chapters 28, 29, and 32, which are vital to Pakistan’s chemicals and dyes industry, within the FTA”s scope. The Consul General confirmed his office would coordinate with the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad to facilitate these amendments.

Salim Valimuhammad expressed his gratitude for the Consul General”s support, stating that the agreements reached would usher in a new era of economic partnership.

‘The initiatives we have discussed today are just the beginning of a deeper, more productive collaboration between our countries. We look forward to seeing tangible results in the coming months, with expanded trade, increased Chinese investment, and strengthened industrial cooperation,’ Valimuhammad remarked.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to unlocking the full potential of the Pakistan-China economic relationship through sustained cooperation.