Beijing: According to the statistics of China Customs, in 2021, China will import US$153 million of major aquatic products (HS Code 03) from Pakistan, a year-on-year increase of 9.8%.
From hairtail, yellow croaker and cuttlefish to shrimp, crab and lobster, China is the largest destination for Pakistan’s aquatic product exports, China Economic Net (CEN) reported on Tuesday.
“Fisheries is a big and emerging industry in Pakistan,” said Dr. Saeed Murtaza Hasan Andravi, Director Animal Sciences Institute NARC, Islamabad. It accounts for less than one percent of GDP, but provides vast employment opportunities for under-developed in Pakistan. Moreover, it can be a profitable profession and a promising means to earn foreign exchange.
 Pakistani people are expecting more from the abundant aquatic resources, especially amid the pandemic. Data from Pakistan Bureau of Statistics show that Pakistan exported $200 million of fish products in the first half of FY2021-22, up 3.18% year-on-year. “We can increase it to 1 billion dollar,” said Muhammad Zafar Kundi, Chairman of Pakistan Fisheries Export Association.
