Pakistan, China sign 300+ MOUs worth $13bn

May 12, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan and China have signed more than 300 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and over three dozen joint venture agreements worth more than $13 billion during the last two years, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi said on Monday.

Exchanging views during a meeting held on the visit of a high-level 70-member delegation from IBI Group to Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi said that although MOUs serve as an initial step towards long-term cooperation.

The Government of Pakistan has established a comprehensive mechanism to ensure their effective implementation and conversion into practical business agreements.

He informed participants that Pakistan’s realization rate from MOUs to formal contracts and agreements has reached nearly 30%, reflecting the effectiveness of the government’s structured follow-up and execution framework.

The meeting was attended by Leader of the Delegation and Director IBI Group Liu Junzhai, Chairman Businessmen Group Zubair Motiwala, Vice Chairmen BMG Mian Abrar Ahmed and Tariq Yousuf, President KCCI Rehan Hanif, Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza, and Vice President Arif Lakhani.

Former presidents, members of the KCCI Executive Committee, and the Chinese delegation also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, an MoU was also signed by President KCCI Rehan Hanif and IBI Group Director Liu Junzhai to forge a strategic partnership aimed at promoting digital economy and industrial development.

Highlighting emerging opportunities in the energy and technology sectors, Ambassador Khalil Hashmi disclosed that Pakistan is currently engaged in active discussions with CATL.

CATL is one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers specializing in lithium-ion and sodium-based battery technologies.

He said Pakistan is encouraging the company to establish cooperation and investment initiatives in the country, expressing optimism that concrete developments may emerge during the forthcoming visit of the Prime Minister to China.

He observed that the global market is gradually shifting from lithium-ion batteries toward sodium-based battery technologies and added that Pakistan possesses abundant raw materials required for such industries.

The ambassador emphasized that Pakistan aims to capitalize on the first-mover advantage in this evolving sector and is working steadily toward attracting investment in advanced battery manufacturing and new energy technologies.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Liu Junzhai said Karachi possesses immense potential to emerge as a leading regional hub for digital trade and smart industrial transformation due to its strategic maritime position, industrial ecosystem, and strong business community.

She remarked that Karachi is not only the commercial capital of Pakistan but also one of South Asia’s most important maritime gateways, serving as the center of industrial, financial, and global trade activities.

Ms. Liu stated that IBI Group highly values the opportunity to establish a long-term and strategic partnership with Karachi Chamber.

Introducing the company’s profile, she said IBI Group is one of China’s leading industrial internet and digital trade platforms and is publicly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

She added that the company has remained deeply engaged in industrial digitalization and industrial e-commerce for many years and has achieved remarkable growth in recent years.

Chairman Businessmen Group Zubair Motiwala stated that the visit of the high-level delegation of IBI Group to the Karachi Chamber reflects the deep-rooted friendship, strategic trust, and expanding economic partnership between Pakistan and China.

He remarked that the relationship between the two countries has evolved into a strong model of economic, industrial, and development cooperation based on mutual trust, shared prosperity, and strategic collaboration.

He said the business community of Karachi highly values the confidence shown by Chinese enterprises in Pakistan’s economy and future potential.

Referring to the MoU signed between KCCI and IBI Group, he said the agreement would open new avenues of institutional connectivity, investment partnerships, trade promotion, technology transfer, and industrial collaboration between the business communities of both countries.

Zubair Motiwala stated that despite global economic uncertainties and supply chain disruptions, bilateral trade between Pakistan and China continues to grow steadily and has reached approximately $23bn to $28bn.

He noted that Pakistan’s exports to China stood at approximately $2.3bn to $2.8bn during 2025, while imports from China exceeded $20bn.

However, he expressed concern over the widening trade imbalance between the two countries, stating that Pakistan imports more than eight times the volume it exports to China.

He stressed the need to transform bilateral relations from a conventional import-export model toward joint manufacturing, industrial cooperation, technology transfer, value addition, and export-oriented investment.

Chairman BMG reiterated that KCCI remains fully committed to facilitating Chinese investors and promoting ease of doing business in Pakistan.

He also described the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as the flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, stating that it has transformed Pakistan’s infrastructure and energy landscape.

He added that the next phase of CPEC should focus more aggressively on industrial cooperation, Special Economic Zones, manufacturing relocation, technology partnerships, agriculture modernization, renewable energy, and the digital economy.

Speaking on renewable energy cooperation, Zubair Motiwala said Pakistan’s industrial sector is rapidly shifting toward renewable and sustainable energy solutions due to rising electricity costs and energy security concerns.

He pointed out that Pakistan has emerged as one of the fastest-growing solar markets globally, largely supported by imports of Chinese solar technologies and equipment.

He said Chinese expertise in solar energy, wind power, battery storage systems, smart grids, and industrial energy solutions could play a transformative role in supporting Pakistan’s clean energy transition.

Speaking about agriculture and food sectors, Zubair Motiwala observed that agriculture remains the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and offers substantial untapped potential for bilateral cooperation.

He stated that Pakistan could significantly increase exports of rice, halal meat, seafood, fruits, sesame, dairy products, and processed foods to China, particularly in view of growing demand created by China’s expanding middle class.

President KCCI Rehan Hanif, while welcoming the delegation, stated that it was a matter of immense pleasure and significance that IBI Group had chosen Pakistan for the formal launch of its Pakistan Digital Economy Headquarters.

He described the initiative as a reflection of the deep-rooted friendship, strategic partnership, and expanding economic cooperation between Pakistan and China.

He observed that as global economies rapidly transition toward digital transformation, smart manufacturing, AI-driven commerce, and technology-enabled supply chains, Pakistan offers tremendous opportunities for strategic collaboration and investment.

He added that Karachi, being Pakistan’s largest industrial, financial, and maritime center, serves as an ideal gateway for Chinese investors and enterprises seeking sustainable and mutually beneficial partnerships.

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