As the nation feels hard pressed against the price-hike, the low-cast ‘Made in China’ goods have made good roads to the Pakistani markets, but put the local manufacturers under pressure. The other aspect of the whole activity is a bit encouraging as it has strengthened the Pak-China friendship.
In the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, there are many markets, such as Aabpara Market, Raja Bazaar, Blue-Area market, Super Market and China Market, where the sale of smuggled Chinese products is in full swing but China Market situated on College Road of Rawalpindi is the biggest hub of Chinese products. From laptop to knives, these ‘Made in China’ goods provide an inexpensive and fancy solution to almost all our needs.
Whether you are on the hunt for fancy crackers for Shab-e-Barat or funky lights to decorate your house for any event, these Chinese products give you a reason to smile. Other popular products include electronic items such as alarm clocks, calculators, mobile phones, air-conditioner, UPS etc. Battery-operated dolls and cars from these shops are also a hit with toddlers. Mosquito killer racquets, mental pieces and kitchen curious are other hit items worth buying.
In November 2006, Pakistan and China signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), after which Chinese products flooded the local markets. While Pakistan imports about 1,000 items from its neighbour to the north, exports to the country stand at a dismal below-50 figure. Currently, imports from China include everything under the sun from turbo jets to onions. “The greatest attraction for goods of China is their price. Add to that the easy availability and attractive packaging of these products, and their rising demand is no longer a mystery,” says Asjad Shabir, a regular customer at the China Market.
The great advantage of these products is that one can use a product to the optimum without having to invest a lot and then replace it as the need or trend fades away. But the customers have to be a little bit alert before buying these goods. Make it a point to check the product carefully before paying for it. Polish your bargaining skills before you make your pick. The fun of haggling while you get your bag full is, in fact, one of the biggest attractions of shopping in the China market.
“No doubt Chinese products are too much cheap but several complaints have been received about their quality” said Asghar a shopkeeper at China market. He said; “Most of the products have no guarantee and we cannot exchange them.” Bike enthusiast Zoheb Ali says initially one does not feel there is much difference in terms of quality. “But over a period of time, the maintenance costs keeps piling up and there are frequent problems with certain parts – brake springs, for example,” he says.
Talking to Pakistan Today a local industrialist said that although the cheap china products are badly affecting the local industry of Pakistan, these products are really helping the people in returns of small amount. Despite the fact that traders and customers both are taking advantages from these products, he said, the smuggled goods are incapacitating the local industry. He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is on the top of the list in smuggling Chinese products.
“We cannot produce such products on cheaper rates due to the energy crisis and the deteriorating law and order situation,” he said. He further said that China Market of Rawalpindi mutating into a Bara Market of Peshawar owing to the increasing number of smuggled goods in it. He pointed out that Chinese goods have been smuggling in the whole world including European countries, the UAE and other Asian countries. He, however, suggested that the government expand its list of exporting products to promote its local industry.
Set aside the negative and positive aspects of dominate Chinese items in Pakistani markets, the customers are happy with the existing situation “From a customer’s point of view, I do not have anything against the influx of Chinese goods. As long as I get what I want at dirt cheap rates, I’m cool with everything.” Jamal Daud, a shopper at China Market said.
