‘Controversy over CPEC to have positive effect’

Head of Chinese delegation undeterred by political parties’ noise over western, eastern alignments

KARACHI: Undeterred by the controversy that has divided political parties between support for the western and eastern routes, Pakistan China Friendship Association Honorary President Sha Zukang said that any tussle over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would in fact have a positive effect on the $46-billion deal.

Political parties are voicing their concerns over PML-N, the ruling party, favouring the eastern route of the corridor that runs through its stronghold, Punjab. The opposition, especially lawmakers of Khyber-Pakthunkhwa, have urged the centre to adopt a balanced approach and include other provinces in the mega project.



However, Sha said the difference of opinion augurs well for CPEC that includes several power plants and transport projects.

“Difference of opinion on CPEC is good because it is leading to more discussions. This will only bring clarity to what CPEC is and how it will help both China and Pakistan,” said Zukang at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of China-Pakistan Investment Initiative (CPII) at a local hotel.

CPII is a joint initiative of Pakistan-China Friendship Association, BMA Capital, Gorntazy Capital and International Green Economy Association to promote interaction between the private sector of Pakistan and China.

Zukang, who was leading a large delegation of about 100 Chinese private companies, said the discussions between the private sector companies of both countries were very fruitful.

The Chinese delegation will leave Pakistan on January 23 after a five-day visit in which they met business people in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi.

“We are very happy to announce that our companies got what they wanted from this visit to Pakistan. We now want to make these visits more tangible and meaningful through continuous interactions,” he added.



Commenting on limitations, he said that Chinese private companies have not interacted much with Pakistani counterparts in the past.

“Our first stop was in Islamabad on January 18, we then went to Lahore and now we are in Karachi. And, I must tell you a very interesting fact that our interaction was much easier in Karachi because we learnt quite a lot of things this week in Islamabad and Lahore,” Zukang added.

Despite the language barrier and other issues, Chinese companies are learning fast about the business environment in Pakistan, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2016.

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