Business

CPEC will allow Pakistan to become global leader

SEZs will help transfer of knowledge and technology, say experts

Our Correspondent July 06, 2017

PHOTO: REUTERS

LAHORE: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an economic revolution and China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) covers countries and regions with a population of over four billion, said economic experts during a consultative session on ‘Special Economic Zones under CPEC’.

Speaking on the occasion, Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform Secretary Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui said that CPEC is a game changing project and people from all walks of life are on the same page as far as this project is concerned.

CPEC ‘fastest, most effective’ among Chinese projects

The session was jointly organised by the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Board of Investment on Wednesday.

“A number of projects under CPEC have become operational,” said Siddiqui, adding that in order to ensure timely completion the government was working with all stakeholders.

He said that new technologies are being introduced in infrastructure, transportation and engineering sectors due to CPEC projects.

Also addressing the session, LCCI President Abdul Basit said that the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are an important part of CPEC that would ensure establishment of industrial clusters and would also help in transferring knowledge and technology.

He said that the government will have to develop a better policy for SEZs to increase growth rate and to attract foreign investors towards Pakistan.

Basit emphasised the need for ‘One-Window Operation’ for SEZs under CPEC.

Pakistan will soon become centre of trade activities, says Sartaj Aziz

Experts participating in the session were of the view that CPEC is a 3,218 kilometre long route, to be built over the next several years, consisting of highways, railways and pipelines.

They said that CPEC has drawn global attention and provided Pakistan a unique opportunity to become a global economic leader.

The experts opined that CPEC is an overall cooperation platform with a focus on long-term development of bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2017.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

COMMENTS (6)

Rafik Ali | 7 years ago | Reply We are the toys of the US, now we are the toys of the China. When we will start thinking of standing on our own feet!!

leela4fun | 7 years ago | Reply Pakistan is already an acknowledged global leader! Most people around the world will readily acknowledge Pakistan's connection to world events ;)

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

naeem | 7 years ago | Reply don't jump to conclusions my dear Indian anxious readers just wait and watch!!!

Sexton | 7 years ago | Reply CPEC is an ambitious, complex program, and gives hope for the future. Asian countries have to start somewhere and attempt to become independent from western controls, which are not in their best interests.

Mustafa Qasuri | 7 years ago | Reply Inshallah,with the involvement of Armed Forces of Pakistan,we will successfully achieve the CPEC target and nation should keep corrupt ruling class at long distance away.

Virkaul | 7 years ago | Reply The population of Asia itself is 4.4 billion and India us not part of OBOR along with several other Asian countries. So the figure of 4 billion people is erroneous. OBOR conceives of connecting china with other countries by asking those countries to spend money for connectivity with whom china wants its goods traded. Lopsided area unless there interconnectivity between them.

Replying to X