Lahore, Pakistan, February 22, 2006--The vice-governor of Qinghai province of China, Lou Yulin, has said the handmade carpet industry of Pakistan has a lot of scope for Chinese entrepreneurs who could win the global market once the two countries join hands in this particular sector, according to the Daily Times.
The Chinese vice governor, who is leading a five-member delegation, was speaking at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.
LCCI president Mian Shafqat Ali, vice-president Aftab Vohra, former president Mian Misbah-ur-Rehman and former senior vice-president Sohail Lashari also spoke on the occasion and threw light on various issues of common interest.
Yulin said both Pakistan and China had matchless cooperation in every sphere of life, including foreign affairs.
He said both the countries had a common stand on various international issues and the cooperation would further strengthen with the passage of time.
He was of the view that a tremendous increase had been witnessed in the two-way trade in recent years and it would touch new heights because the business community in both the countries were making right moves.
He said Pakistan’s handmade carpets were unique for their excellent design and with Chinese technology the industry would get a new boost.
He said his delegation would not keep it confined to the carpet sector, but would also assess the situation in other sectors as well. LCCI president Mian Shafqat Ali said Pakistan and China had been steady geo-political partners for almost five decades.
He said the trade between Pakistan and China through proper channel had increased from S$651.9 million in 1999-00 to $2196.9 million in 2004-5, showing an increase of 237% over a period of five years.
The balance of trade between the two countries was heavily tilted in favour of China, and this needed to be turned into a win-win situation for both the countries for a lasting relationship.
The trade deficit of Pakistan, which stood at $291.3 million in 1999-2000 had increased to $1488.7 million in 2004-5.
