Chinese products, which offer a wide variety of choices, have become a good source of income for fabric and fashion jewelry merchants, and they are investing more to expand their business. Speaking to WealthPK, Nadee Ahmed, who deals in women’s clothing at Kutchery Bazaar, Faisalabad, said that customers prefer Chinese products because they find them durable, comfortable and economical. “Chinese entrepreneurs offer a diverse range of products from traditional silks to modern blends and their affordability, quality and variety entice traders from Faisalabad to order. Women never compromise on style and price, and Chinese products serve them both ways,” said Nadeem. Traders in the yarn market have also started sourcing Chinese fabric. Shahid Ali, who deals in fabrics, told WealthPK that he faced a challenging situation. The prices of Chinese cloth are low compared to the cloth produced in Faisalabad, due to which traders buy raw cloth from Chinese traders. Locally, this is called gray matter. “With each passing day, the cost of doing business in Pakistan increases as the government continues to meet the IMF’s conditions to release and turn on the much-needed financial cushion to keep the country’s economy afloat. So China is the best source for traders and exporters to buy fabrics at affordable prices,” he said. He said the cost of fabric woven in Faisalabad was high compared to the same quality fabric imported from China. “I made a lot of money selling Chinese cloth. However, securing it is a daunting task as any problem at the border causes shortage of product. Chinese fabric is entering local markets every day. Because of the low cost and variety, traders are switching to Chinese varieties,”
Shahid added. Ubaid Babar, a trader on Jhang Road who visited China to import Chinese products, was very happy with his thriving business.
In an interview with WealthPK, he said that the cost of products imported from China is far less compared to local products. Lots of investors ask him to take them to China to buy the products of their choice because of their popularity with Pakistani buyers. He said traders are eager to develop a business line with Chinese entrepreneurs because of their production capacity and low rates. Chinese products outperform local goods due to quality and low rates. It serves both merchants and customers. Gold is becoming more expensive due to which brides now prefer to buy Chinese artificial jewellery,” he added.
