KASHGAR: On August 15, twelve new China-Pakistan cooperation projects valued at 235 million renminbi were signed during the Pakistan-focused session of the 15th Kashgar-Central and South Asia Commodity Fair in Xinjiang’s Kashgar region.
Themed “Sharing Development Opportunities, Building CPEC Together,” the event highlighted sectors central to future growth, including trade, logistics, agriculture, tourism, new energy, and information technology. Organisers said the fair offered a practical platform to deepen cooperation and accelerate tangible progress under an upgraded phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Economic ties between Kashgar and Pakistan have strengthened considerably in recent years. In the first half of this year alone, bilateral trade rose 74 percent compared to the same period in 2023, reflecting the growing synergy between the two markets.
Over 200 Kashgar-based foreign trade firms are now actively engaging with Pakistan, while 56 Pakistani enterprises have established operations in Kashgar. These businesses are thriving in areas such as international logistics, jewellery processing, and import-export trade, underscoring the complementary strengths of both sides.
Nadeem Alam, President of the Hunza Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Gilgit-Baltistan, praised CPEC’s role in fostering closer economic integration. He expressed optimism that Pakistan and China could expand cooperation in infrastructure investment, energy, tourism, and trade facilitation, thereby creating a more dynamic platform for bilateral exchanges. “CPEC has already laid a solid foundation, but the next step must be practical and targeted cooperation that strengthens both economies,” he said.
The 15th Kashgar-Central and South Asia Commodity Fair attracted strong international participation. Running for five days, the fair brought together representatives from 40 countries and regions, including Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. More than 181 overseas enterprises and 1,120 Chinese companies showcased a wide range of products, strengthening the fair’s role as a hub for regional trade promotion and cooperation.
The signing of these agreements reflects not only growing commercial engagement but also the broader vision of deepening CPEC-linked development opportunities across South and Central Asia.
