Suleman Nagri, a Kashmiri origin Chinese businessman dealing in gems and precious stones and export and import business, is on a visit to Pakistan to explore Pakistani market. He has set up his business in Urumqi, the capital of Xing-Jiang a Muslim majority province of China. Xing-Jiang population is 390 million with 66 percent Muslims.
He was of the view that Pakistani industrialist, exporters and investors have lot of opportunities in Chinese market particularly in the field of electronics, toys, blankets, crockery, automobile and auto-parts. They must avails the benefits of incentives being given by Chinese government for industrial growth, he said.
Nagri said that Chinese government is providing free electricity to the industrialists and manufacturers of the export quality products. Raw material and manpower is very cheap while duty on import of raw material and machinery is very low, he said adding that these incentives by the government are making Chinese products cost effective and viable to compete in the international market.
He said that the tax system and bank financing is very easy and businessmen friendly. "Every businessman is feeling comfortable in market as he would have to get all facilities by the government", he added.
Chinese trader said that Pakistani exporters have to work in the fields of pottery, textiles, bedsheets, gem stones, minerals, dates, fruits particularly mango and milk products including cream.
Chinese products are very cheap and of better quality and it is an opportunity for Pakistani businessmen to get their products from China on cheaper rates than other countries, he said and added "We are too close and have road links which would help us to decrease the carriage cost".
He said that there are lot of potential to increase trade and economic relations of Pakistan and China and it depends upon governments and business community of the both sides to get benefits from the experiences of each other.
Talking on the political atmosphere in Xing-Jiang, a Muslim majority province of China, Suleman Nagri said that Muslims are enjoying complete freedom of religion and religious activities. Government is providing all possible facilities to people without any discrimination of religion.
He invited Pakistani business community to visit the industries in Urumqi and explore new vistas of investment and trade there.