Islamabad: The China-Pakistan High-Quality Agricultural Cooperation Development Forum was held in Islamabad, bringing together key stakeholders to deepen bilateral agricultural ties. Organized by the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan (CCCPK), the forum focused on enhancing industrial cooperation and driving forward agricultural modernization as part of the CPEC initiative.
Hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan (CCCPK), the forum aimed to strengthen agricultural industrial cooperation between China and Pakistan and promote agricultural modernization under the CPEC framework.
Pakistan and China reaffirmed their commitment to agricultural cooperation at a forum in Islamabad on Thursday, where officials highlighted a 21% increase in bilateral agri-trade and signed new agreements to further boost the sector.
The event, titled “China-Pakistan High-Quality Agriculture Cooperation Development Forum”, focused on expanding collaboration under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
While addressing the forum, Shi Yuanqiang, Minister Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan revealed, from January to May 2024, agricultural trade between the two nations reached $300 million, a 21% increase year-on-year. Pakistan has recently begun exporting fresh cherries, frozen buffalo embryos, and dairy products to China, Shi noted.
Under CPEC, agricultural cooperation between China and Pakistan has been institutionalised, Shi said, referencing the establishment of joint working groups on agriculture and technology.
Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, Federal Secretary at Pakistan’s Ministry of National Food Security & Research, said joint projects covering the entire value chain, from seeds to trade, were being implemented. He cited buffalo breed improvement and the processing of chillies and sesame as initiatives delivering tangible benefits.
Chaudhry emphasised the private sector’s role in driving transformation through innovation and investment.
Wang Huihua, Chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce in Pakistan, noted that the second phase of CPEC had broadened collaboration into agricultural production, exports, research and development, and biotechnology.
The forum featured opening remarks by Mr. Wang Huihua, President of CCCPK. Key speeches were delivered by Mrs. Amina Bajwa, Head of Programme at FAO Pakistan; Mr. Ch. Waseem Ajmal, Federal Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research of Pakistan; and H.E. Mr. Shi Yuanqiang, Minister and Chargé d’Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan. The speakers praised the achievements of China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation and expressed hope for its continued advancement.
The forum featured five thematic speeches, covering contract farming of chili and sesame, promotion and full industrial chain development of hybrid double-zero canola, buffalo breeding and dairy processing, modernization of agricultural storage facilities, and financial empowerment for agricultural cooperation.
The forum also saw the release of A Typical Cases of China-Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation and the signing of multiple Memorandums of Understanding, covering various areas including double-zero canola, oil-feed integration, agri-livestock equipment, and buffalo farming.
The forum not only showcased the depth and breadth of China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation but also provided a practical platform for collaboration between enterprises from both countries. Looking ahead, China and Pakistan will continue to expand agricultural value chains, promote green agriculture, ensure food security, and work together to build a closer agricultural community with a shared future.
