Prime Minister Imran Khan Monday said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would serve as a vital link for the two countries to the Middle East and Central Asian Republics besides opening fresh investment avenues and new markets.
Addressing the opening ceremony of China International Import Expo here at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre, Prime Minister Imran Khan said as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) gives shape to a global community of shared interests, this expo will help spread dividends of freer trade among more closely integrated economies.
Imran Khan, who is on a four-day official visit to China on the invitation of President Xi Jinping, is in Shanghai on the second leg of his visit where Pakistan has set up a pavilion to showcase its products.
Imran Khan said the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan merges into a network of modern highways that are part of the CPEC and link to the deep sea port of Gwadar, where it converges with the Belt and Road. He said this would not only have an impact on Pakistan but also on the economies of the entire region.
The prime minister said the CPEC will cut distances and costs, bringing much-needed resources to the producers and new products to the consumers. “CPEC is a mechanism to forge even closer connectivity between the Middle East and China, and between Central and South Asia,” he said. Pakistan is a leading exporter of sports goods, medical instruments and IT products and with a promising 100 million human resource under the age of 35, the country has a rich potential and is an attractive place for foreign investors, he added.
Imran Khan said his government has initiated deep and meaningful reforms to ensure transparency and accountability and provide seamless smart solutions for the government and the people. “We are committed to improving our framework of transparency and accountability, leveraging technology for seamless and smart solutions for business and governance.”
He said Pakistan is blessed with an abundant array of resources ranging from mineral riches to fertile lands, to the wealth of renewables and the most diverse landscape with 12 climate zones. “Our Industry is already producing high-end textiles, sports goods, engineering goods, IT services and medical technologies including surgical instruments. But by far, our greatest and most promising resource is human capital. We have 100 million Pakistanis below the age of 35 – a young vibrant population.”
Imran Khan said the ‘Naya Pakistan’ will be a more conducive and a more competitive place for transacting business. “At a time when the international trade system is under attack, when unilateral commercial benefits are being sought aggressively by some, and when protectionism is on the rise, we take great comfort in President Xi’s courageous affirmation: ‘The doors of China’s opening up will never shut; but will only open ever wider’,” he said.
The prime minister expressed his gratitude to the government of China for the warm hospitality and participation in the Shanghai expo.
Published in Daily Times, November 6th 2018.