Pakistan gets nod from China for meat export after COVID-19 restrictions lifted

• China agrees to import Pakistani meat after lifting restrictions.
• China has, however, expressed concern over hurdles in bilateral economic relations.
• It is one of the world’s largest beef consumers and imports half a million tons annually to reduce a gap in demand and supply.

KARACHI: China has agreed to import meat from a Pakistani firm after lifting quarantine restrictions in place because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

China has, however, expressed concern over hurdles in bilateral economic relations, it was learnt Friday.

The Organic Meat Company received an approval from the Chinese Customs for export of heat treated meat to China.

“The company has pioneered the heat treatment process whereby foot and mouth disease virus can be removed from beef meat,” the company said in a filing with the bourse. “This process will enable us to access more markets for value-added meat products.” 

Read more: Pakistan's exports reach decade-high of $2.3b in March

China is one of the world’s largest beef consumers and imports half a million tons annually to reduce a gap in demand and supply.

Chinese authorities had imposed quarantine restrictions on Pakistan’s meat which has the world’s lowest price. 

Pakistan exports beef to Vietnam in bulk and from there it enters into China without any restrictions, according to the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Nasser Hyatt Maggo.

Maggo lamented the bilateral trade figures are not reflecting the narrative of close friendship. There are multiple hidden tariff barriers imposed on trade with Pakistan.

“We don’t have direct relations with importers in China,” he said during a meeting with Chinese Consul-General in Karachi Li Bijian and Economic and Commercial Counselor Guo Chunshui.

“China should give Pakistan its due share in Chinese imports to let Pakistani businessmen take benefits by exports to China.”

Pak-China Business Council Chairperson Javed Ilyas said bilateral trade was $18 billion in 2019 after the signing of the second phase of free trade agreement. 

Read more: Pakistan's textile exports decline 3.1% in February

Of this, Chinese exports were $16 billion while imports from Pakistan were only $1.9 billion as Pakistani businessmen faced barriers from China.

Bijian said there are various hurdles in business relations between Pakistan and China. He expressed concerns over safety and security situation for Chinese businessmen and workforce in Pakistan. He also complained about inconsistent economic policies of the government.

Lack of basic infrastructure is also harming trade and industrial relations, he said. Unskilled labours are damaging the business environment. “We spend our money, effort and time in training the labour but after some time they change their loyalties.”