PROVINCE REPORT
CHARSADDA: The Charsadda Chamber of Commerce and Industry has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Xi’an Shengluu Small and Medium Enterprise Innovation Federation to promote bilateral trade, investment and business-to-business cooperation and create new opportunities for traders and entrepreneurs in the district.
Senior Vice President of the Charsadda Chamber, Noman Akbar Jan Khan, signed the agreement with Executive President of the federation, Madam JING Haoyi, during his recent visit to China.
The Chinese delegation included Chief Executive Officer Fang Guiwen, Executive President JING Haoyi and the federation’s Chief Representative for Pakistan, Wang Cheng.
The MoU is aimed at strengthening commercial linkages between Pakistan and China and promoting cooperation in imports and exports, investment and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Speaking about the agreement, Mr Khan said his visit to China and the MoU would provide the business community of Charsadda with greater access to the Chinese market and create opportunities for local traders to establish commercial partnerships with Chinese companies.
He said the chamber would facilitate traders from Charsadda interested in doing business with China.
“We will interview interested traders at the chamber and, after selection, facilitate their visit to China,” he said.
He added that the Chinese business community, through its local network and representatives, would support visiting Pakistani traders, help them establish business contacts and explore potential opportunities in the Chinese market.
Mr Khan said the initiative was particularly important for young entrepreneurs and SMEs, as it would help them expand their businesses beyond local markets and develop international trade links.
He said Pakistan and China enjoyed longstanding and close relations and stressed the need to translate the existing friendship into stronger economic and commercial cooperation.
Referring to his visit to Xi’an, Mr Khan said the historic Chinese city had long been an important centre of trade and was associated with the ancient Silk Road. He said his interaction with Chinese business representatives provided an opportunity to explore new avenues of cooperation between the business communities of Charsadda and China.
He said the Charsadda Chamber was taking practical steps to strengthen the economic position of local traders and promote their businesses at national and international levels.
“Our objective is to transform Charsadda into an important commercial centre and connect its business community with international markets,” he said.
The senior vice president said the chamber would provide traders with guidance and facilitate their interaction with Chinese counterparts so that they could establish sustainable and mutually beneficial business relationships.
He expressed the hope that the MoU would open new avenues for trade, investment and entrepreneurship and contribute to economic growth and employment opportunities in Charsadda.
The agreement is also expected to encourage cooperation between SMEs of the two countries, facilitate the exchange of business information and strengthen people-to-people and business-to-business contacts.
Mr Khan thanked the Chinese government and the Xi’an Shengluu Small and Medium Enterprise Innovation Federation, particularly Chief Executive Officer Fang Guiwen, Executive President JING Haoyi and Chief Representative for Pakistan Wang Cheng, for their invitation, cooperation and hospitality.
He termed the MoU a significant development for the business community of Charsadda and expressed hope that the initiative would lead to practical commercial partnerships between traders and entrepreneurs of the two countries.
