Pakistani products attract customers at 5th CIIE in Shanghai.

BEIJING -- Pakistani products like jewellery, salt lamps, blankets and marble have attracted a large number of customers at the 5th China International Import Expo (CIIE) being held in Shanghai.

"Of the consumers who buy our products, the percentage of re-purchase within a year is as high as 60%, and another 30% of customers make a third or more purchase within a year," said Li Long proudly, a four-time Pakistani jewellery exhibitor at CIIE.

On the booth stands out a girly pink gemstone with the largest size. "This pink morganite originates from Pakistan. This is the first of its kind exhibited at CIIE and it is part of the Mughal series. 150-carat pink morganite is very rare even in Pakistan." In this year's CIIE, Li Long brings emeralds, morganites, tourmalines and chrysoprase, which originate from the northern mountains of Pakistan.

He said expectantly, "This year, our booth is specially decorated for brand image display, and we hope to meet more quality buyers."

Large exhibitions such as CIIE are the major means of product promotion as Pakistani exhibitors make their foray into the Chinese market. However, such exhibitions only last a few days each year, and there are no suitable sales channels for most of the year. Their greatest wish is to open a store of their own in China where they could sell all year round and establish a firm foothold in the country.

At the first CIIE in 2019, Li Long told CEN journalist that Pakistan was his IP. Now he set up a shop on East Nanjing Road in Shanghai. Focusing on high-end jewelry strategy, he has fulfilled his dream and to some extent reversed the stereotype that Pakistani products are cheaper.

"To create high-quality products, our offline stores are open 365 days a year, and sales are considerable." Li Long said.

Coincidentally, Pakistani exhibitor Habib and his brothers, who became famous for selling salt lamps in the 4th CIIE, have opened 3 stores in different areas of...