Pakistan and China Commit to Expanding Trade and Maximizing Gwadar Port Utilization

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and China have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral trade and exploring new avenues for growth, including the optimization of Gwadar Port. During a meeting on the sidelines of the SCO Ministerial Conference, Jam Kamal Khan, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Commerce, and Ling Ji, China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, discussed initiatives to strengthen economic ties.

The discussions highlighted the importance of convening a meeting for the Committee on Trade in Goods under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to explore further trade opportunities. Both sides acknowledged the significant potential in the agricultural sector, with China expressing its interest in importing high-quality Pakistani products.

The Chinese delegation congratulated Pakistan on hosting the inaugural ministerial meeting of the SCO Ministers Responsible for Economy and Foreign Trade, pledging full support to Pakistan. Furthermore, China invited Pakistan to participate in this year's China International Import Exhibition in Shanghai, reserving a significant space for Pakistani companies. Pakistan confirmed its participation with 33 companies and the establishment of a dedicated country pavilion.

Additionally, both nations agreed on the urgency of fully operationalizing Gwadar Port, with Pakistan’s leadership confirming that a high-level committee has submitted recommendations to ensure the port's maximum capacity is realized in the near future.