ISLAMABAD – Advisor to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood onTuesday said under the recently signed China Pakistan Free TradeAgreement-II (CPFTA) Pakistan would get $6.5 billion annual share of totalChinese imports of $64 billion.“We get the same status in CPFTA-II as has been given to the Association ofSouth East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries for exploiting the entire 313duty free tariff lines provided by the China to access its market,” he saidwhile talking to anchor-persons here at in Ministry of Commerce. SecretaryCommerce Sardar Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera was also present.The advisor said Pakistan had to face trade deficit with China after thelatter signed FTA with ASIAN countries in 2010-11. However, now theduty-free export of 313 tariff lines provided a huge opportunity toPakistan to decrease trade deficit with China, he added.He said Vietnam had increased its exports to China after signing of theChina–ASEAN FTA.Replying to a question, he said under the CPFTA would turn aroundPakistan’s economy, particularly export-based industry. The local exportersnow had a big opportunity to capture the Chinese market. The government wastaking steps to make the Pakistani products competitive in theinternational market, he added.The adviser said a two-pronged strategy had been evolved for properexecution of the CPFTA and to exploit the 313 tariff lines to the maximum.“We want to increase our exports to China and also bring the Chineseinvestment to Pakistan.”Razak said China wanted to relocate its industry in other countries and thegovernment desired to get maximum Chinese industrial units shifted toPakistan.

He said,“We missed the first phase 10 ten years ago when China shifted itsindustry mostly to ASEAN countries, especially Vietnam and Malaysia.” Nowin the second phase, China wanted to shift the garments, leather and homeappliances industry, he added.He said Pakistan could export key products like textiles, leather,engineering goods, electronics, plastics, sea food, apparel, foot ware andjewelry under the 313 tariff lines.Replying to another question, he said,“We successfully negotiated andfinalized terms and conditions to safeguard the local industry and get theperiod of 15 years to gradually open the some potential areas of localindustry for trade with China.”He said if any industry was hurt, Pakistan could get measures to protectthe particular industrial unit for 90 days.He said iron, steel, agriculture, plastic, ceramics and surgical goodswould need protection and safeguards.