A new survey by Gallup Pakistan shows that China’s economic presence in Pakistan is expanding beyond large-scale infrastructure projects to a wider network of private enterprises. Based on data from the Pakistan–China Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCJCCI), the study highlights a significant rise in Chinese firms operating in trade, IT services, engineering, and small-scale manufacturing.
The report challenges the perception that China’s role in Pakistan is dominated solely by CPEC megaprojects. Instead, over 2,000 Chinese companies, most of them small and medium-sized, are now active across different sectors, indicating a more diverse and entrepreneurial economic footprint.
Nearly 49% of Chinese firms are registered in Islamabad, reflecting their engagement with federal ministries, regulatory bodies, and CPEC monitoring institutions. Sector-wise data reveals that trading and import-export businesses account for the largest share, followed by engineering, construction, IT, mining, and various niche industries.
Analysts believe this shift signals a move from state-led megaprojects to a bottom-up economic model driven by private Chinese entrepreneurs. This trend mirrors patterns seen in Southeast Asia and Africa, where Chinese SMEs have played a transformative role in local economies.
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