On May 15th and 16th, 2023, a delegation from China visited Hunza with the purpose of exploring trade opportunities through the Khunjerab border. The delegation focused on three main areas of interest: cherry exports, agriculture trade, and tourism exchange. Notable members of the Hunza community, including representatives from the Tourism Department, Agriculture Department, and local businesses, participated in the event, which was held at the Gilgit Serena Hotel.
The first area of focus for the Chinese delegation was cherry exports. Hunza is known for its high-quality cherries, and the Chinese delegation was eager to explore opportunities to import these cherries into China. The delegation met with local cherry growers and exporters to discuss the potential for increased trade between the two countries. They also visited cherry orchards and processing facilities to gain a better understanding of the cherry production process in Hunza.
The second area of focus for the delegation was agriculture trade more broadly. In addition to cherries, the delegation was interested in exploring opportunities to import other agricultural products from Hunza into China. The delegation met with representatives from the Agriculture Department to discuss the types of crops that are grown in Hunza and the potential for increased trade.
Finally, the delegation was interested in exploring opportunities for tourism exchange between China and Hunza. They met with representatives from the Tourism Department to discuss the tourism industry in Hunza and the potential for increased tourism between the two countries. They also visited local tourist attractions and met with hotel owners to gain a better understanding of the tourism infrastructure in the region.
Overall, the visit of the Chinese delegation was seen as a positive development for Hunza. The delegation expressed a strong interest in increasing trade between China and Hunza, particularly in the areas of cherry exports and agriculture trade. The visit also provided an opportunity for the local community to showcase the natural beauty and tourism potential of Hunza to the delegation. As the two countries continue to strengthen their economic ties, it is likely that we will see more trade and tourism opportunities between China and Hunza in the future.
