Balochistan to China; A Pakistani Entrepreneur's 16-Year Journey of Trade and Trust in China..................................... SHAOXING, China: Shah Nawaz Kakar, CEO of the Hewad Group of Companies and a native of Quetta, Balochistan, has spent more than 16 years in China building successful business ventures while strengthening economic ties between Pakistan and China.
A graduate of Zhejiang University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in trade in 2012, Kakar chose to remain in China and expand his business activities, benefiting from the country's dynamic commercial environment and entrepreneurial culture.
“Zhejiang is a highly developed province with a strong business ecosystem. The people here are innovative, and there is always an opportunity to learn and grow,” Kakar said.
Expanding China-Pakistan Trade
Building on his family's long-standing involvement in the textile sector, Kakar expanded the Hewad Group's operations into multiple industries, including automobiles and mineral trade.
The company exports both new and used vehicles from major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, and Wuhan to markets in Pakistan, the Middle East, and South Asia. Key destinations include Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, and Iran.
Kakar highlighted the growing popularity of Chinese vehicles in Pakistan, particularly electric vehicles (EVs).
“Chinese cars combine advanced technology with affordability. Brands like BYD and other Chinese manufacturers are increasingly meeting the needs of Pakistani consumers,” he said.
According to industry estimates, Chinese automobile manufacturers now account for nearly 20 percent of Pakistan’s passenger vehicle market.
Promoting Balochistan’s Mineral Wealth
In addition to vehicle exports, Kakar has played an important role in promoting Balochistan’s mineral sector by exporting chromite ore from the province to China.
This two-way trade model—exporting Chinese products to Pakistan while supplying Pakistani minerals to Chinese industries—has helped create stronger economic linkages between the two countries.
Recognition and Cultural Exchange
Kakar’s efforts have earned international recognition. In 2022, he was honored in Zhejiang Province for his contributions to promoting cross-border trade and business cooperation.
Living in Shaoxing, a city renowned for its textile industry and international trade exhibitions, Kakar regularly interacts with entrepreneurs and investors from around the world.
He praised China's welcoming business environment, saying foreign entrepreneurs receive strong support from both government institutions and the private sector.
“You don't feel like a foreigner here. You feel at home,” he remarked.
Building Positive Perceptions
Kakar believes greater educational and business exchanges can further strengthen Pakistan-China relations, particularly for young people in Balochistan.
He expressed hope that his personal journey—from Quetta to Zhejiang—would inspire others to explore opportunities in education, trade, and entrepreneurship while contributing to stronger people-to-people connections between the two countries.