China seeks two way trade cooperation with Pakistan Furniture Industries,Wang Zihai

LAHORE Wang Zihai Executive Director Pakistan China Centre Thursday said after years of development Dezhou furniture industry chain has formed an organic industry chain with the integration of production,supply and marketing.
Chairing online video “ Pak China Furniture” conference he said “ we can take advantage of interaction of furniture industry to further foster cooperation in industrial exchange of visits,project investment and people to people contacts to promote two way economic and trade cooperation” he added.
Mian Kashif Ashfaq, CEO, Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) representing Pakistan emphasised the need of close collaboration with chambers of commerce and industry and industrialists of both countries for setting up joint ventures in special economic zones,conducting joint research and development and opening up markets such as the Middle East. He said Pakistan furniture industry had great potential for development and could make significant contribution to exports.He said PFC will fully facilitate Chinese to take part in Interiors Pakistan expos to help explore new joint ventures with Pakistani counterparts.
Badar Uz Zaman Commercial Consular of Pakistan to China sharing his views said the furniture industry is one of the pillar industry in Dezhou,Shandong province China.He said Pakistan is all weather strategic partner with a population more than 200 million.He disclosed that second phase of CPFTA ( China Pakistan Free Trade Agreement) has achieved remarkable results.” Around 6000 items will ultimately be zero in the next decade which he added will open news vistas of mutual cooperation and access to market for each other with jumping of trade volume during the last 2-3 years”. He said in the last quarter, there was increase of 70 % in exports from Pakistan to China. He urged the participants to come forward and contribute to increase of bilateral trade and investment in Pakistan.
Ms Zhong Ling Deputy Director standing committee of Dezhou Municipal Congress China said Dezhou furniture industry was included in 30 provincial level industrial clusters of over 70 billion yuan in Shandog province. With a comprehensive range of furniture products, a vast market coverage and complete industrial chain,the products are exported to more than 30 countries. She stressed the need for further future cooperation between the either sides not only in furniture industry but also in other sectors with the support of industrial internet platform and using the strength of finance and capital to seek common development and create resplendence.
Salahuddin Hanif, SG Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) underlined that in Pakistan, the furniture industry is versatile, “Pakistan’s wood furniture industry is divided into cottage and small-scale sectors. The solid wood of hardwood species like Sheesham (or Indian rosewood), walnut and oak is used. Pakistan is blessed with abundant resources and our people are equipped with the best of skills that can help develop the country on modern lines.”
We should export semi furnished furniture to various countries to promote the skill of Pakistani artisans he added.
About 20 enterprises from China and Pakistan attended the promotion conference, and the two sides exchanged views on the advantages of Pakistan’s furniture industry, requirements for sales and production in Pakistan, etc.
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