Ghulam Qadir, Commercial Counsellor of the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing, has stated that China, an all-weather friend of Pakistan, has once again extended its help to assist Pakistan in overcoming its balance of payments crisis by permitting the import of heat-treated beef from Pakistan.
Qadir confirmed that the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (GACC) has granted Pakistani beef the access to the Chinese market. This news holds significant implications for both countries, as China is one of the world’s largest meat importers, and Pakistan is a prominent beef exporter.
The Pakistani ambassador to China Moin ul Haque expressed his elation via Twitter, stating, “Chinese Customs has issued a notification to allow the export of Pakistan’s boiled beef to China. This development marks a significant milestone in China-Pakistan bilateral trade. It presents Pakistani exporters with a big opportunity to tap into the $15 billion Chinese market.”
Qadir told Gwadar Pro that Pakistan, already a significant beef exporter, will see its economy boosted by this new market. For China, the move will help meet the country’s growing demand for meat and provide greater variety for its consumers.
“This is major news for Pakistan as it opens up a $15 billion market and provides a great opportunity to enhance its exports. It will also have positive macro-economic implications for Pakistan’s balance of payments,” added Qadir.
Qadir informed Gwadar Pro that the GACC and the Pakistan Ministry of Food and Security will oversee the entire process of heat-treated beef being exported to China, from packaging and storage to transportation.
Owais Mir, CEO & founder of DAE Group, told Gwadar Pro that the decision by GACC to allow Pakistani beef imports is a significant development for both countries. The evolution of the market in the coming years remains to be seen.
“It is expected that heat-treated beef from 1.5 million cattle can be exported to China this year. Further capacity enhancement would necessitate the plantation and upgrade of livestock, along with new farms,” he mentioned.
