Pakistani entrepreneur Habib ur Rehman showcased distinctive Pakistani lamps at the 7th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, capturing the interest of Chinese buyers with his innovative creations. During the bustling expo, Rehman highlighted camel bone and salt lamps crafted in Pakistan, engaging in conversations with potential buyers and sharing the story behind his products.
The annual import expo, which attracts Fortune 500 companies alongside smaller businesses, offers a platform for entrepreneurs like Rehman to access new markets. Consistently bringing unique items to the event, this year he featured camel bone lamps, building on past successes with salt lamps and camel skin lanterns. These products carry cultural significance, reflecting the strong bond between Pakistan and China. Rehman highlighted the symbolic value of camels in this relationship, explaining that “this year, camels symbolize our shared hopes.”
Pakistan’s salt lamps, crafted from the minerals of its mountainous regions, are well-known domestically but are relatively new to the Chinese market. Rehman first introduced these lamps at the fourth CIIE, where they unexpectedly became a top seller. He described the expo’s impact as “remarkably unexpected,” with sales soaring to three times the usual amount on Shanghai’s Nanjing Road during peak seasons. Following that event, he sold three full containers of around 60,000 lamps, significantly boosting his confidence in the Chinese market.
Last year, Rehman unveiled a cherished piece of Pakistani heritage, a camel skin lantern, part of a tradition over 900 years old. This intricate craft, known for its refined workmanship and connection to desert culture, drew considerable attention at the expo, securing orders from more than 20 provinces in China within just six days.
Rehman underscored the cultural importance of camel skin lanterns, which were once widespread in Pakistani homes but are now fading. He sees the CIIE as an opportunity to preserve and revive this traditional craft.
To prepare for this year’s expo, Rehman and his local team worked for six months to tailor their offerings for Chinese buyers. For the 7th CIIE, he introduced camel skin lamps decorated with fish motifs – a symbol of prosperity and abundance in Chinese culture – alongside camel bone lamps. He emphasized the cultural relevance of camels in Pakistan, noting their historical connection to Silk Road exchanges with China and their enduring significance in Pakistani life.
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