ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Federal Minister for Commerce Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan said on Monday that Pakistan and China were working on one of the largest economic engagement and development plans ever which was rightly termed as `game-changer’ and `fate-changer’ especially for Pakistan.
The minister stated this while addressing the gathering at the `International Production Capacity Cooperation Forum of the 4th China-South Asia Expo’ held in Kunming, China, said a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce here today.
The Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer and business delegation from Pakistan also participated in the event.
The minister highlighted that all the participant countries had so much to learn from each other especially from China which has been setting milestones after milestones in production capacity growth over the last four decades.
“In today’s globalized world, it is imperative to work collectively and seek solutions for problems like regional developmental disparities,” the minister said.
Dastgir urged the Chinese investors to join joint ventures in Pakistan to make win-win platforms for both Pakistani and Chinese businessmen.
“It is high time that businesses from both sides started focusing on benefitting from the strong foundations laid by the two governments to further develop business-to-business ties and the Government of Pakistan will provide special facilitation to the Chinese investors.”, the minister added.
The minister also spoke at the session on “the construction and development of one belt and one road and industrial cooperation (Infrastructure, Tourism, Education, and Health).
On the occasion, the minister not only highlighted the importance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for Pakistan as the strongest pillar of economic, commercial and cultural connectivity between Pakistan and China but said that the regional impact of CPEC is equally important.
“We are confident that CPEC, through its network of roads, railways and industrial parks, will herald a new era of regional connectivity, development and prosperity. This in turn will benefit billions of people in the region”.’ he said.
He was of the view that CPEC was a remarkable case study for students and researchers alike in terms of its significance in providing linkages between Chinese and Pakistani economies.
“It aims at bringing together China’s financial and industrial capacity and technological prowess with Pakistan’s plentiful resources, hard-working labor force and potential market”, he remarked.
The minister said that as `CPEC’s implementation progresses smoothly, it will indeed establish a new model and set new parameters, standards and criterion for the rest of the World to follow in terms of bilateral and regional economic cooperation. `
Khurram also held talks with Secretary of the Yunan Provincial Committee of Communist party of China Li Jiheng with delegation of high officials of Yunan province and discussed prospects of economic cooperation.
The minister was assisted by Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khalid, Counsel General Chengdu Amna Baloch and Commercial Counselor Beijing Dr. Erfa Iqbal.
The minister also expressed appreciation for the organizers for allocating 234 booths to Pakistan, which was much higher than the last year and makes Pakistan Pavilion as the largest country Pavilion in the Expo.
The China-South Asia Expo (CSAE) originated as South Asian Countries Trade Fair in 2007, which was held in Beijing.
From 2008 onwards, the South Asian Countries Trade Fair was held annually in Kunming along with the China Import and Export Fair, Kunming.
In 2013, the South Asian Countries Trade Fair was renamed as China-South Asia Expo.
The 4th CSAE is being held in Kunming from 12-17 June 2016.
Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry are participating in this year’s Expo.
