KARACHI: Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile Industry, Production and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood said on Saturday that under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the country would now prefer to enter into joint ventures (JVs) with Chinese companies to increase industrial base.
“We are in talks with China to shift the focus from power plants and road networks and move into JVs which are badly needed to increase the industrial base in Pakistan and lead to job creation,” he said while addressing the business community of Karachi at an event hosted by the Rice Exporters Association of Pakistan (Reap) former chairman Abdul Rahim Janoo.
There is an urgent need for entering into JVs with Chinese companies which could help in transfer of technology and also improve our agriculture production which was badly suffering from low productivity, he said.
Responding to a number of issues raised by Reap Chairman Safdar Mekrai, the adviser stressed that by entering into JVs with Chinese companies many issues related to low farm productivity and high costs could be tackled by introducing technologies at different levels.
Mr Dawood regretted that almost all major crops including wheat and cotton in the country are facing similar issues as highlighted by Pakistan Agriculture Coalition’s Dr Arif Nadeem in his presentation on rice.
There is an urgent need to work on backward integration in all major corps if higher productivity and low cost is to be achieved, he said. He hoped that once these issues were resolved, the target set by Reap for enhancing rice exports from current level of little over $2 billion to $5bn in five years could be easily achieved.
The adviser said he would try to immediately include rice sector (which is second largest exporter after textiles) as a new member among five export-oriented sectors.
“I am confident that rice exporters are committed to ensuring and securing interest of all the stakeholders and also have the vision to increase rice production and achieve $5bn exports within five years,” he added.
Mr Dawood said that during his recent visit to Japan, the businessmen there showed keen desire to help Pakistan improve rice farming by introducing technology for improving quality and securing higher rice production.
He further urged the Reap chairman to participate in the forthcoming ‘Biyani Festival’ being organised in Jonesburg, South Africa.
Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2019
Comments (10) Closed
There is NO market in China for Pakistani Basmati rice, they eat gooey rice produced in Thailand and other SE Asian countries, they the Chinese produce local chewy mangoes and mini tangerines in Guangzhou by millions of tons and exported to the US, Canada and many other countries, yet Pakistan celebrates Kinoo and mangoes export, we need to export Industrial goods, but the industry is obliterated by Chinese sub-standard goods and other imported junk, Pakistan in the 1950:s used manufacture ceiling fans National Fans, very good qualiy fans, today we talk about them.
@Janikhel, _ Indeed. I have seen hundreds of small groves of Mandarin orange trees in Guangdong province. One can see thing traveling between Guangzhou and Hong Kong. It is also true that China shares a border with Vietnam, which is the second largest rice producing nation in the world. China is not a cotton producer however. They buy their cotton abroad.
Pakistan need to focus on flour export USA as Pakistans wheat production has improved.
Pakistan can supply Aeronautical parts to EU and USA
@Janikhel, could not agree with you. India manufacturs cars and also export it at the same time numerous foreign manufacturers also doing good business in India. Human choices are difficult to understand . Pakistan should stand a brand pakistan of fruits and make people around the globe to choose it. India also export rice to China but to give advantage to pakistan it debarred India from exporting baasmati. My question is, when pakistan will learn to see the world beyond China?
China is a trader and a sharp business man. It is interested in giving loans and mortgage the client nation like a loan shark and then reap benefits for its own advantage. Realistically it would shy away from JVs where investment has to be made and actual growth takes place in terms of employment and production.
If you are dreaming to export to China and gain , it will be only dream, no one able to achieve in the world.
You can only export to China , only it is benificiary to them.
Think of exporting to India , we are given preferential trading partner ststus.
What about JVs in industrial production like computers, software, and auto? It's a shame that we are still struggling with agricultural production and have not realized our true potential even in this sector despite being major producer of such commodities in the world.
Why they all look sad in the picture? No one is smiling.
We offer a wide range of financial services which includes: Business Planning, Commercial and Development Finance, Properties and Mortgages, Debt Consolidation Loans, Business Loans, Private loans, Home Refinancing Loans with low interest rate of 3% per annual for individuals, companies and corporate bodies. We have provided billions in business loans to over 10,000 business owners just like you. We use our own designated risk technology to provide you with the right business loan so you can grow your business. Our services are fast and reliable, loans are approved within 24 or 42 hours of successful application. Get the best for your family and own your dream home as well with our General Loan scheme. Interested applicants should Contact us via Email: johnoneil945@gmail.com