This initiative aims to boost economic diplomacy and address the $12 billion trade deficit between Pakistan and China, as noted by the CPEC newspaper.

Pakistan’s exports to China in the 2023-2024 period summed 2.56 billion dollars, while imports reached 14.51 billion dollars, leaving a trade gap of almost 12 billion.

To address this imbalance, the government recognized the need to strengthen trade missions with additional resources to explore trade and investment opportunities more effectively.

At a high-level meeting on June 25th, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the development of a plan to strengthen economic diplomacy by hiring local staff to better coordinate with Chinese authorities and support business-to-business interaction.

Following consultations between the Commerce, Foreign Affairs and Board of Investment ministries, Sharif approved the creation of new trading posts in China with the support of the Finance Division.

Sharif has repeatedly emphasized that Pakistan’s relationship with China is essential for the well-being of its people, the region, and global peace and development.

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