Connecting China with South Asian economies: 'Pakistan, Xinjiang can play vital role'

Strong economic relation between China and South Asia can add to global economic growth and Pakistan and Xinjiang can play central role in connecting China with South Asian economies. This was stated by Tariq Sayeed, patron-in-chief Pak-China Business Council and immediate Past President of Saarc CCI and FPCCI at Kashgar-Central and South Asia business Co-operation seminar held in Kashgar city of Xinjiang province of the People' Republic of China.
In a statement issued by the FPCCI here on Wednesday, he was invited by Chairman CCPIT to address the seminar, which was organised by CCPIT Xinjiang sub-council. The seminar was inaugurated by Yu Ping, Vice-Chairman CCPIT, Beijing, and Masood Khan, ambassador of Pakistan to China. Tariq Iqbal Puri, CEO TDAP and Marat Sharshekeev, President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Kyrgyz Republic also addressed at the inaugural session, which was moderated by Mr Wang Kelin, Chairman CCPIT of Xinjiang sub-council. The business representatives from CII India and national chambers of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan also addressed the 2nd and chairpersons of CCPIT sub-councils from Hubei, Sichuan, Shaanxi and Yunnan province also spoke during the 2nd plenary session.
Sayeed said that the city of Kashgar had unique topography, which has been the connecting point of China-South Asia through Silk Route operated even before 200 B.C. He praised Chinese export policy and efforts of the visionary leadership, which had transformed the nation into the leading export nation with worth of $1.3 trillion and the second leading economy of the world and expressed optimism that China shall become soon global economic leader. "The South Asian countries particularly Pakistan should take the maximum benefit of Chinese economic growth"
He further said that China and South Asia formed almost 47 percent of the world population and the presence of numerous complementarities could integrate two great civilisations. He hoped that the present level of trade $75 billion between China and South Asia would be doubled by 2015 if the targets set by Governments of China, India and Pakistan are achieved. In this respect he urged for the need of compatible infrastructure development and fully operational of Silk Route and Sikkim trade.
"Over the past five years, Xinjiang has taken advantage of its geographical location to strengthen economic links with neighbouring countries and explore markets in central Asia, western Asia, south Asia and Russia. This has helped significant improvement of over 320 percent in regional trade, which was estimated at $76 billion in 2011 against $24 billion in 2005," said Sayeed and added that the expansion of highway system and improved transportation network would not only help trade but also channelise FDI in the region.