PCJCCI calls for boosting seafood exports to China

LAHORE: China plays a pivotal role in Pakistan’s exports, particularly in the seafood sector, where it remains a key market, said President of the Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) Nazir Hussain during a think tank session at the PCJCCI Secretariat on Monday.

He said that seven to eight types of fish are highly consumed in China, adding that Pakistan’s ‘sole fish’ enjoys immense popularity in Tianjin City, with 70 per cent of this variety of fish exports being consumed there.

Hussain talked about Pakistan’s rich fishing potential and the robust growth of its seafood exports. During the first 11 months of the 2022-23 fiscal year, seafood exports rose by 17.13 per cent, reaching $456.668 million compared to $389.873 million in the same period of 2021-22. In May 2023 alone, seafood exports surged by 25.06 per cent to $50.578 million, up from $40.444 million in May 2022. He also pointed out the benefits of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA), under which Pakistan enjoys zero duties on the export of over 1,000 products to China. Key fish species exported to China include ribbonfish, squid, mackerel, and sole fish.

Senior Vice President PCJCCI Mansoor Saeed Sheikh explained that exporting to China is straightforward due to fewer certification requirements compared to markets like Europe and America. He noted that many Pakistani seafood products exported to China, such as squid and cuttlefish, are processed into value-added products and later exported to European countries. Vice President PCJCCI Zafar Iqbal underscored the importance of value addition in the fishery sector. He suggested that producing value-added seafood products could increase export revenues and create local employment opportunities. “Adopting contemporary technology is critical,” Iqbal said, noting the need for nitrogen-based quick-freezing systems to preserve quality and reduce costs. He added that replacing outdated machinery with modern automated systems would improve efficiency and lower expenses.

Iqbal further suggested that Chinese investors could establish seafood processing facilities in Pakistan. “With cheaper labour, fresh raw materials and reduced transportation costs, processing fish locally would benefit both countries,” he said, calling for stronger collaboration in the sector.