CPEC providing multifaceted opportunities for Pakistan to boost regional connectivity and national economy: AIERD chief

Islamabad: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is providing multifaceted opportunities for Pakistan to further enhance regional connectivity and the national economy, Zahid Latif Khan, Chairman of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development (AIERD), said.

In a statement after meeting Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong here, Khan stressed that in order to exploit the full potential of the CPEC, Pakistan will have to build reliable and efficient avenues of connectivity on the principle of win-win cooperation, as with every step of industrialisation and rapid economic growth the need for connectivity multiplies.

“CPEC is undoubtedly a game changer, as its benefits are not limited to any city or province but its dividends are for the whole region,” he added.

The AIERD chief mentioned that there was no second opinion about the progress of CPEC as well as its contribution to the economic growth and development of Pakistan.

Citing his meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong, Zahid Latif Khan remarked that it was a productive meeting and assured him of all kind of assistance and cooperation at various levels.

“E-commerce is emerging business in Pakistan and around the world and we can learn from Ali Baba (a Chinese multinational technology company)’s experience in this specific sector,” he maintained.

Khan underscored that the recently held 10th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting between China and Pakistan had given a new impetus to the work and cooperation in the fields of industry, renewable energy and transportation. The connectivity is observing a new vigor,” he stated.

Khan emphasized that Pakistan can learn from the experience of leading economies of the world, especially from China, how connectivity helped these countries grow exponentially.

Being part of CPEC, which is a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, Pakistan can benefit from the experience of China, he underlined, adding that “Pakistan can work on connectivity strategy and tag it with industrial development and modernization of economy under CPEC.”

Later, in a tweet, Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong said: “Glad to meet Chairman Zahid Latif Khan. Thank you for your effort to promote the development and people’s understanding on CPEC. Looking forward to visiting ISE (Islamabad Stock Exchange) and having interaction with the business circle.”