A 14-member delegation from the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), headed by Vice President Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry, is participating in the third phase of the 137th Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China, from May 1–5. This pivotal engagement highlights Pakistan’s strategic efforts to deepen economic partnerships with China and explore emerging opportunities in consumer goods trade, technology transfer, and joint industrial ventures.
Vice President Chaudhry emphasized the delegation’s timely arrival, noting, “Pakistan aims to diversify import sources while pursuing advanced manufacturing collaborations and knowledge-sharing with Chinese enterprises.” The fair’s third phase follows two record-setting sessions from April 15–30, which drew over 220,000 international buyers from 219 countries and regions, spotlighting advancements in manufacturing and home furnishings.
Spanning 515,000 square meters, the final phase features 24,560 booths from 12,043 enterprises, underscoring China’s expertise in producing high-quality, customized consumer goods. Centered on the “Better Life” theme, the event highlights innovations across toys, maternity and childcare products, fashion apparel, home textiles, stationery, and health and recreation sectors. Industry analysts identified niche growth areas such as eco-friendly infant items, intelligent home textiles, and tech-enhanced leisure goods as particularly promising for Pakistani businesses.
A dedicated digital platform has amplified the fair’s global impact, with exhibitors uploading nearly 890,000 products online by April 24, facilitating ongoing engagement with international buyers. The event’s multicultural dimension is reinforced by 284 enterprises from 30 countries and regions, including dedicated pavilions from Turkey, Russia, Pakistan, South Korea, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and India.
Shkil Ahmed, an ICCI delegate, praised the fair’s vibrancy, stating, “The product diversity here is unparalleled, and the energy is inspiring. We are eager to establish long-term partnerships with Chinese innovators in these sectors.” Ahmed added that Pakistani firms see significant potential in adapting Chinese product concepts for domestic and regional markets.
As the Canton Fair concludes on May 5, the Pakistani delegation plans to pursue targeted business-to-business meetings and gather critical market insights to shape future trade policies.
