Kashgar fair: A gateway for Pakistan’s regional trade integration

The 15th Kashgar-Central and South Asia Commodity Fair, inaugurated on August 16 in the historic Silk Road city of Kashgar, marks another milestone in China’s efforts to promote trade, connectivity, and regional cooperation. For Pakistan, participation in this significant event is not just an opportunity to display products and services but also a chance to strengthen its role in the evolving economic architecture of Central and South Asia.
The fair, held annually since 2005, has become one of the most important platforms for promoting cross-border trade and investment. Over the past two decades, it has brought together more than 38,000 enterprises from 56 countries and regions, generating trade deals exceeding 480 billion yuan (about 67.25 billion U.S. dollars). This year alone, the fair has attracted 181 enterprises from 40 countries, alongside 1,120 Chinese companies and 26 overseas business associations. These figures are a testament to Kashgar’s rising prominence as a gateway for regional commerce and international partnerships.
For Pakistan, the fair comes at a critical time. The country is seeking to diversify its exports, stabilize its economy, and expand access to international markets. Kashgar, located in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, offers a natural link to these ambitions. The city has long been a central hub on the ancient Silk Road, serving as a meeting point for traders from South, Central, and West Asia. In the modern era, its relevance has grown under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and, more specifically, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The structure of this year’s fair-divided into investment cooperation, international trade, and domestic trade-aligns closely with Pakistan’s areas of interest. Exhibitions and business matchmaking sessions cover sectors such as biomedicine, cultural tourism, agriculture, cotton, and textiles. Many of these fields overlap with Pakistan’s strengths and export potential. For example, Pakistan’s cotton and textile industries remain globally recognized, while its agricultural products-from rice and fruits to leather and dairy-have significant untapped demand in China and Central Asia. Participation in Kashgar gives Pakistani enterprises the chance to directly engage with Chinese importers and investors, thereby cutting through logistical and bureaucratic hurdles that often slow down bilateral trade.
The importance of such platforms is highlighted by Kashgar’s own economic trajectory. In 2024, Kashgar recorded total imports and exports worth 99.44 billion yuan, up 18.8 percent from the previous year. This accounted for nearly 23 percent of Xinjiang’s total foreign trade. Such figures indicate the vitality of Kashgar as a regional hub and underscore the immense potential it holds for countries like Pakistan that are seeking new avenues of growth.
Yet, Pakistan’s engagement must move beyond symbolic participation. Historically, Pakistani delegations to international fairs have often lacked consistency and follow-up, reducing their long-term impact. To maximize benefits from the Kashgar fair, Pakistan’s policymakers, chambers of commerce, and private sector must work in tandem. Industries should be carefully selected for representation based on market demand, and a strong emphasis must be placed on branding, packaging, and marketing-areas where Pakistan has often fallen short. Additionally, follow-up mechanisms should be institutionalized so that initial contacts made during such events evolve into long-term partnerships and joint ventures.
The broader strategic significance of the Kashgar fair lies in its contribution to regional integration. By bringing together countries from Central Asia, South Asia, and beyond, it reinforces the vision of a shared marketplace underpinned by connectivity and cooperation. For Pakistan, participation strengthens its standing as a critical player along the modern Silk Road. The country sits at the crossroads of South and Central Asia, the Middle East, and China, and it has the potential to serve as a bridge for trade and logistics in multiple directions. Events like Kashgar provide a practical framework to turn this geographical advantage into an economic reality.
In the larger context of Pakistan-China relations, the fair also adds another layer to the already strong economic and political partnership. China is Pakistan’s largest trading partner and one of its most reliable allies. Through platforms like Kashgar, Pakistan not only strengthens bilateral ties but also positions itself within the wider Belt and Road network, ensuring its integration into global supply chains that are being reshaped in the 21st century.
Ultimately, Pakistan’s participation in the Kashgar-Central and South Asia Commodity Fair is more than a routine exercise in trade diplomacy. It is an opportunity to showcase the country’s resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and capacity to contribute to regional growth. To fully leverage this opportunity, Pakistan must adopt a forward-looking strategy that prioritizes innovation, quality, and sustained engagement.
If approached with seriousness and vision, Pakistan’s presence in Kashgar can serve as a stepping stone toward greater economic diversification, stronger partnerships, and a more prominent role in regional integration. The Silk Road spirit that once connected Kashgar to the world is alive again, and Pakistan must ensure it travels on this road with commitment and foresight.

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