ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China reaffirmed their strong agricultural partnership at a forum held in Islamabad on Thursday. Officials reported a 21% rise in bilateral agricultural trade and signed new agreements to deepen cooperation.
The event, titled “China-Pakistan High-Quality Agriculture Cooperation Development Forum,” focused on expanding agricultural ties under CPEC’s second phase.
Shi Yuanqiang, Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, said agricultural trade between the two countries hit $300 million from January to May 2024—a 21% increase over last year. He noted that Pakistan has started exporting fresh cherries, frozen buffalo embryos, and dairy products to China.
Shi added that both sides have institutionalized cooperation through joint working groups on agriculture and agri-tech.
Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, Federal Secretary at the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, highlighted joint projects across the full value chain. These include seed development, buffalo breeding, and value-added processing of chillies and sesame.
He emphasized the private sector’s critical role in driving innovation and investment in agriculture.
Wang Huihua, Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan, said the second phase of CPEC now covers production, exports, research, biotechnology, and development in agriculture.
The forum also featured a case study of successful China-Pakistan agricultural partnerships. In addition, both sides signed four new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for future joint ventures.
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The China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan and several Chinese agri-companies co-organized the event.
