By Raza Khan ISLAMABAD, Nov 24 (INP-WealthPK): The Government of Pakistan is mulling to tap potential in meat and agricultural products to further boost the country’s export to China. Dr Kausar Abbas Zaidi, Director General (Agro Products, Services) of the Ministry of Commerce, told INP-WealthPK that the government was in the process of negotiations with concerned Chinese authorities to allow exports of meat, potato, onion and cherry. “China is the largest potential market for Pakistani potato and onion exports. Pakistan is working with China to resolve sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS), and tariff issues,” he said. If China allows import of meat, Zaidi said, a large number of investors in Pakistan would opt for livestock sector to grab this opportunity. He said rice can grab more shares in Chinese market, while mangoes also have future prospects. “Pakistan has significantly improved its agricultural and livestock products over the period of time using modern techniques,” Dr Zaidi said. He added that Pakistan’s fruits, vegetables and meat are up to the international exports’ standards. Mr Zaidi was of the view that agro-products and food sector would play a key role in enhancing Pakistan’s exports to China in future. “China imports meat, fruits and vegetables in large quantity to meet its local demand,” he added. “Pakistan’s exports’ value to China crossed $2 billion in last fiscal year,” he said, adding that it can cross $3 billion soon if Pakistan focuses on Chinese food market. There would be good news for exporters soon, Mr Zaidi said. He added that China was largest importer of Pakistan’s agricultural products in last fiscal year 2020-21 with the import value of $701 million. Pakistan agricultural exports to China registered growth of 82 percent last year as compared to preceding fiscal year 2019-20 when agro-products exports to China were recorded at $386 million. These exports’ statistics were encouraging as there was substantial growth in Pakistan’s exports to China. However, he said, the real potential is too big and yet to be explored. “If utilised properly, the export potential in agro-products and food sector is huge for Pakistan,” Mr Zaidi maintained. He added that the demand of agricultural products, fruits and meat creates opportunity for Pakistan to grab the shares in market and increase exports. If we examine the data the Pakistan’s overall exports to China, it shows 82 percent increase during first four months (July-October) of current fiscal year (2021-22) against the same period of last fiscal (2020-21). According to the Ministry of Commerce, Pakistan’s exports to China rose to $935 million in first four months of current fiscal from $514 million in July-October last year. Exports in October 2021 were recorded $281.30 million, registering 66 percent growth against the same month of last year. Exports in October also registered the growth of 8 percent as compared to export volume of September that was $261.859 million, the data shows. Pakistan’s exports to China registered growth of 22.85 percent to $2.043 billion in last fiscal year 2020-21 from $1.663 billion in 2019-20. The increase in exports was noted in the post-Covid period, especially the exports of rice. Moinul Haque, Pakistan’ Ambassador to China, said in a recent statement that Pakistan’s exports to China would be double in next three to five years. “There is an increasing interest of Pakistani traders and companies to trade with China,” the ambassador had said.