KARACHI, July 20: Consul General of People’s Republic of China Sun Chun Ye has said that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and China has made a historical record by surpassing $3 billion mark last year.

Speaking at a luncheon meeting organized by the Small and Medium Enterprises Alliance (SAMEA) here on Wednesday, the Chinese envoy said that bilateral cooperation of commercial trade had expanded covering industry, energy, water and power, nuclear power, road, bridges, harbour and other infrastructure construction.

He further said that as a close and friendly neighbour China was willing to contribute to the economic prosperity of Pakistan and was ready to share the fruitful results of China’s economic development.

He said that during the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to Pakistan early this year, the two countries signed “Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness and Friendly Cooperation,” which is the first treaty codified in law form between China and Pakistan and represents a landmark for the future development of Sino-Pak relations.

He said that the two countries also signed nearly 20 documents, covering bilateral cooperation of economic and trade, agriculture, science and technology, education etc. The two countries also agreed to start negotiations for Free Trade Area and had singed an agreement of “Early Harvest”, the first one of this kind that China had with South Asian country.

Earlier, SAMEA President Zafar Iqbal while appreciating China’s assistance in different fields of trade and industry suggested that there should be close cooperation and exchange of views between the small and medium enterprises of both the countries.