ISLAMABAD, Aug. 7 (China Economic Net) - A China-Pakistan footwear cooperation project signed on August 4 plans to establish 16 sports shoe production lines in Pakistan, with a targeted annual output of tens of millions of pairs, covering overseas production base development and cross-border trade.

China Huaxin (Shenzhen) Investment Group and Pakistan’s Forward Group signed the cooperation agreement on August 4 in Islamabad. The agreement was signed by Liao Yiquan, chairman of China Huaxin (Shenzhen) Investment Group, and Khawaja Masood Akhtar, chairman of Forward Group.

The two companies will focus on developing a footwear and apparel overseas production base and expanding cross-border trade cooperation. The project plans to establish 16 sports shoe production lines in Pakistan, with an annual capacity of tens of millions of pairs.

Ahmed Fawad Farooq, secretary-general of the Pakistan Footwear Manufacturers Association, said Pakistan has long been known for quality leather production and traditional footwear manufacturing. He said the introduction of advanced equipment and technologies from Chinese companies could support the upgrading of Pakistan’s sports footwear industry.

The cooperation will leverage China Huaxin (Shenzhen) Investment Group’s manufacturing and supply chain capabilities from the China-based Chengdu-Chongqing footwear and apparel industrial park to advance footwear industry cooperation between China and Pakistan.