by Wang Xiaotong

SHANGHAI, Nov. 6 (China Economic Net) - The 3rd China International Import Expo (CIIE) grandly opened in Shanghai on November 4. As the world’s first import-themed national-level expo, it connects enterprises across the globe together to tap the great potential of the Chinese market and give fresh impetus to the world economy inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic.

13 Pakistani enterprises specialized in jewellery design and manufacturing, cross-border trade, freight transportation, furniture, artistic handicrafts, etc. attend this year’s CIIE. Among all the exhibits, stunning gems and jewellery from Pakistan become a big hit with the Chinese buyers.

Good quality at competitive price makes Pakistani gems popular among Chinese

“This is the third time that we’ve attended CIIE. After attending the first CIIE as visitors, we promptly decided that we should participate as an exhibitor to showcase our products as we saw huge potential in the Chinese market, ” said Faizan Ahmed from Shakeeb Gems.

Although it took 14 days to put himself in quarantine, Faizan Ahmed’s enthusiasm for this expo never cools down because at last year’s CIIE he found targeted purchasers. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve been to neither any exhibition nor other city since last year. We think China is safer than any other country in the current pandemic situation. So we come here and try to explore business opportunities,” he said.

Faizan Ahmed is in the interview with China Economic Net. [Photo/Wang Zhongqiang]

This year he brought Pakistan’s tourmaline, lapis, garnet, sapphire and ruby to this expo. As he observed, among all these gems, tourmaline is Chinese people’s favourite. Just before the interview with China Economic Net began, one Chinese men bought a multi-color tourmaline necklace for his wife at RMB 2,000 with satisfaction from this booth.

Pakistani tourmaline bracelet at CIIE. [Photo/Wang Zhongqiang]

According to Faizan Ahmed, for the gems of the same quality, his price is usually 20% to 30% less than the Chinese one, and the CPFTA Phase II makes the price more competitive. “The export tariff has been eliminated and we only needs to pay VAT now. Previously the maximum tax rate is 32%,” he said.

Branding becomes valued by more Pakistani jewellers

Increasingly more Pakistani entrepreneurs are aware of the importance of building brands. Winza, a Pakistani jewellery brand attracted large attention from Chinese netizens even before the expo kicked off not only because of its Kashmir sapphire and Swat Royal Green emeralds but also the delicate and elegant design.

Royal Green emeralds from Swat, Pakistan. [Photo/Wang Zhongqiang]

“As an enterprise, we are creating our own culture of design. I'm from Pakistan, and I take Pakistan as our cultural ‘Intellectual Property’ (IP). As a Pakistani now living far away from my motherland, what I am doing is also promotion of Pakistan,” Aqeel Ahmed Chaudhry, founder of Winza, said with love for his country.

Aqeel Ahmed Chaudhry is in the interview with China Economic Net. [Photo/Wang Zhongqiang]

When it comes to his understanding of branding, he views building a brand as creating a standardized and responsible system for customers as well as the company itself for long-term development. “Jewellery is a kind of cultural and historical inheritance, and branding will give it better protection,” he further explained in fluent Chinese.

Pak-Sino cooperation displays in jewellery design and manufacturing

To avail more business opportunities in China, many Pakistani jewellery and handicraft exhibits are designed to cater to the cultural taste of the Chinese. If someday you find them in a Chinese shopping mall, you will never know that they are from Pakistan by the appearance.

Dragon artwork from Pakistani jeweller Winza. [Photo/Wang Zhongqiang]

An artwork from Winza shaped in dragon, an auspicious mythical creature in Chinese culture, is specially designed for the Chinese market. A tea set made from oynx and handicrafts with traditional Chinese characters are also eye-catching.

Chinese tea set from Muhammad Iqbal. [Photo/Wang Zhongqiang]

Pakistani jewelers are now in close cooperation with Chinese designers and manufacturers. They flexibly decide who to design and where to process to achieve the most satisfactory result and maximum profit.

The ongoing CIIE will be held till November 10. Pakistani exhibitors are expected to return from a fruitful journey. With Pakistan’s exports to China rise via China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’s progress, more Chinese people will fall in love with the soul-stirring beauty of Pakistani jewellery.