SAARC CCI official hails Imran Khan’s speech

Says closer ties with neighbours crucial for development

LAHORE: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Chamber of Commerce and Industry Senior Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik welcomed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan's speech, which called for cordial relations with neighbouring countries.

Malik expressed hope that the prime minister-to-be can play a constructive role in strengthening Saarc by bringing India and Pakistan closer, which will bring peace and prosperity in the region.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Malik said the dream of regional progress and development cannot be achieved till relations are free of mutual animosity and distrust.



He was of the view that the imminent government, led by PTI, would have to chalk out comprehensive and long-lasting strategies to nurture good relations with the neighbouring countries and come forward with a solid plan of integrating this region for boosting of trade.

"South Asia is one of the least economically integrated regions of the world. As a result intra-regional trade between the Saarc countries is less than 5% while intra-regional trade between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries is about 35% and EU countries is about 60%," he added.



The Saarc official believed that South Asia has potential to become a region of economic and social prosperity. "However, this can only be possible if we are able to resolve disputes amicably though result-oriented parlays that afflict our region." He also urged the PTI leadership to work for removing distrust between US and Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2018.

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