Chinese manufacturers invited to establish JVs in country

Islamabad is urging Chinese producers and backers to set up joint ventures and factories in Pakistan, with dyes, chemicals, agro-chemicals and biotechnology given particular emphasis. The appeal came from Salim Valimuhammad, chairman of the Pakistan Chemicals & Dyes Merchants Association (PCDMA), speaking at events in Beijing including the China International Fair for Trade in Services. According to Business Recorder, the goal is to move bilateral ties from trade in finished goods toward joint industrial production.

Annual imports of dyes and chemicals exceed USD1.5 billion, with about 85 per cent sourced from China. Valimuhammad linked the sector to textile, leather and coatings exports worth USD20 billion. He also said the crop-protection market is worth over Rs100 billion, while much of the pesticide active ingredients used locally comes from abroad.

PCDMA said it is moving beyond a traditional trading role toward facilitating joint ventures, plants and technology-transfer deals. The group entered an MoU with SIEM and CCPIT during China InterDye 2026 in Shanghai. The association also cited the SIFC and CPEC special economic zones as improving approvals and offering fiscal incentives.