Islamabad: Pakistan and China reaffirmed their commitment to deepening agricultural cooperation during the “China-Pakistan High-Quality Agriculture Cooperation Development Forum” held in Islamabad on Thursday. The event focused on expanding collaborative efforts under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to officials, agricultural trade between the two countries saw a 21% year-on-year increase, reaching $300 million from January to May 2024. The figures were shared by Shi Yuanqiang, Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, who highlighted the growing scope of bilateral agri-trade and ongoing institutional cooperation between the two sides.
Shi noted that Pakistan has recently started exporting a range of agricultural products to China, including fresh cherries, frozen buffalo embryos, and dairy items. He emphasized that agricultural cooperation has been formally structured under CPEC through the establishment of joint working groups on agriculture and technology, aimed at long-term sectoral collaboration.
On the Pakistani side, Federal Secretary for the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, said that multiple joint initiatives covering the entire agricultural value chain—from seed development to export—are underway. He specifically cited collaborative projects in buffalo breed improvement and the processing of chillies and sesame, describing them as areas that have already started delivering tangible benefits.
Chaudhry also underlined the crucial role of the private sector in driving innovation and investment in agriculture. He encouraged greater participation from both Pakistani and Chinese agribusinesses to capitalise on the evolving partnership.
Speaking at the forum, Wang Huihua, Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan, said the second phase of CPEC had widened the scope of collaboration beyond infrastructure to include agricultural production, research and development, biotechnology, and export facilitation.
Participants at the forum agreed that the strengthening of agricultural ties would contribute not only to food security and economic development but also to creating new trade opportunities and rural employment across both countries.
The forum was attended by government officials, agricultural experts, and private sector representatives from both nations.
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