Daily Times

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD –PrimeMinister Nawaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan was actively pursuing regional integration andthe $46 billion investment and infrastructure projectsof the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would boost trade acrossthe region.

Talking to World Trade Organisationdirector generalRoberto Azevedo whocalled on him here at the PM House, the prime minister said that CPECalone has the potential to immensely enhance trade amongst theregional countries and improve lives of millions in the region.

Highlightingthe importance of trade, he said that Pakistan was gearing up its trade-related laws to achieve fullintegration in the Global Supply Chain. A press release from the PM House said that Pakistan was ready toenhance its partnership with WTO and was open to internationalcompetitive trade ideas.

Nawaz said that improved law and order situation underthe present democratic government has brought economic stability inPakistan. “Our government is addressing the power shortage issue and weexpect to completely resolve this issue by 2018, after thecompletion of certain power projects.”

He said that peace has been restored in Karachiand terrorists were on the run due to the successful militaryoperations. He said that it would help Pakistan attract foreign investmentby building confidence of the investors and businessmen.Azevedo said that Pakistan was an idealdestination for business and investments.

He complimented the prime minister on his vision oneconomy and his efforts to take up challenges of politicalstability, improving security, achieving energy self-sufficiency andinfrastructure development.

Alongwith Minister for Commerce KhurramDastgir, the WTO head also visited the Planning Commission, where Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms AhsanIqbal said that Pakistan intended to maintain strong trade relations with regional countries.

Heobserved that agriculture sector played a key role for economic betterment.He said that Pakistan, through WTO, was playing an important role in the world trade. About role of women in business and trade, he informed the distinguished guests that Pakistani women were proving their importance in the field of trade and industry.

Ahsan said that the objective of Vision 2025 was to prepare a comprehensive strategy to further strengthen economy of the country. He discussed ways and means to enhance volume of external trade to $150 billion by the year 2025 in the light of successful economic and trade policies under Vision 2025.

He also informed that the government would soon be able to overcome energy crisis because of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.