Trade balance tilts further in Beijing’s favour

Published August 6, 2017
Made-in-China garments now dominate local markets mainly because of their low prices. A massive influx of Chinese clothing has forced many Pakistani garment-makers out of business in recent years. Some analysts believe the actual value of Chinese imports is notably higher than the official figure of $10.53bn for 2016-17.—White Star/file
Made-in-China garments now dominate local markets mainly because of their low prices. A massive influx of Chinese clothing has forced many Pakistani garment-makers out of business in recent years. Some analysts believe the actual value of Chinese imports is notably higher than the official figure of $10.53bn for 2016-17.—White Star/file

KARACHI: China emerged as the largest trade partner of Pakistan in 2016-17, although exports to Beijing have been declining for the last four years.

Exports to China equalled just 15 per cent of imports from the same country last year, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

Chinese products are replacing local goods and becoming a dominant force in the domestic market, data shows.

Exports to China equalled 15pc of imports from the same country last year

Exports to China shrank to $1.62 billion in 2016-17 from $2.69bn in 2013-14. Imports from China, in contrast, grew to $10.53bn in 2016-17 from $4.73bn in 2012-13, an increase of 123pc.

Four years ago, Pakistan’s exports to China were 45pc of imports from the neighbouring country. The proportion fell to just 15pc in 2016-17.

The government argues that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)-related imports are behind the increase in overall imports.

However, trade data shows imports from Beijing have been increasing each year as Pakistan consistently failed to grow exports to China. The Ministry of Commerce never announced any strategy or plan to explore the Chinese market for Pakistani products.

“Not only are Chinese products replacing Pakistani goods in the domestic market, but also the Pakistani products like ceiling fans are no longer Pakistani. Most parts like copper winding are imported from China, but fans are sold as Pakistani products,” said Rashid Aziz, a retailer of ceiling fans.

Local markets have been flooded with smuggled Chinese products, which are sold openly. Imported and smuggled Chinese goods have complete domination in the local market, hurting survival prospects of local products like furniture, wooden goods, tiles, glass items, fans, cotton finished products, iron and steel products etc.

No official estimates are available as far as the market size of smuggled Chinese products is concerned. But people in local markets believe the value of smuggled goods can be higher than that of official imports.

The official figure for imports from China is also disputed by independent economists. They say Chinese exports to Pakistan are about $5bn higher than the figure published by Pakistan.

The country faces a trade imbalance of $30.5bn while the current account deficit reached a record-high of $12bn in 2016-17.

Published in Dawn, August 6th, 2017

Follow Dawn Business on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business, finance and tech from Pakistan and across the world.

Opinion

Seizing the moment

Seizing the moment

The provinces bear the primary responsibility for improving access to family planning services, particularly for poorer families.

Editorial

PIA privatisation
Updated 11 Jul, 2025

PIA privatisation

While it does give the privatisation authorities a much-needed head-start, it will not be sustainable unless preceded by policy and regulatory reforms.
Beyond expectations
11 Jul, 2025

Beyond expectations

THESE are tough times, but the country is lucky enough to still be considered home by a large expatriate workforce,...
Train in vain
11 Jul, 2025

Train in vain

TALK of ‘revival’ of the long-dead Karachi Circular Railway has turned into a running joke for denizens of this...
No negotiations
10 Jul, 2025

No negotiations

IT seems like the appeal from Kot Lakhpat Jail has fallen on deaf ears. “[…] The time for negotiations has...
Speech policing
Updated 10 Jul, 2025

Speech policing

Sweeping accusations have once more exposed just how broadly and arbitrarily Peca is being applied.
Continued detention
10 Jul, 2025

Continued detention

THE continued detention of BYC head Mahrang Baloch and five other activists indicates that the state is uninterested...