Speakers in a seminar on "China-Pak Economic Corridor - Private Sector" are unanimous that the China-Pak Economic Corridor could signal a new era of progress and prosperity in the country, but the corridor should be handled through the public-private partnership that will enable the private sector avail this unique opportunity. The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry set up the seminar at the Chamber on Wednesday. Experts from various sectors of economy spoke about the importance of the private sector's role for the success of this game changing project.
They suggested that the government take the private sector on board on the corridor-related matters since the business community was keen to play its role for the economic uplift and that the corridor would start a new era of progress and prosperity. Former finance minister Doctor Salman Shah said, "Pakistan is bound to become economically strong and independent with never ending chain of investments from China. It will only be possible if the respective private sector representatives play their due role much proactively."
Chinese Consul General Yu Boren said, "The corridor is an overall co-operation platform with a focus on the long-term development of bilateral co-operation in various fields. Right now, we are focused on the four major areas of the Gwadar Port, energy, transport infrastructure and industrial parks. In addition, under the framework of CPEC, the co-operation on agriculture, science and technology, finance, education, cultural and media exchanges are underway."
President Mumtaz said the objective of that seminar was to enlighten the members about trade and investment opportunities expected to occur right from the beginning and till the completion of this corridor. "It will not be wrong to say that the economic benefits of this project are hard to estimate. China has already promised to invest more than $46 billion in this connection. This project has the potential to work as a big push theory of Economics. Although both the governments are closely collaborating in this project, at the same time the private sectors of Pakistan and China are going to have a bigger role to play in this mega project."
Senior Vice President Mian Nauman Kabir said that that mega project should be completed at any cost as undoubtedly, it had the potential to turn Pakistan into pivot of regional co-operation. "This project would also bring development and prosperity to the people of around ten developing nations," he added.
The key speakers also were LCCI President Ijaz Mumtaz, SVP Mian Nauman Kabir, Chinese Consul General Yu Boren, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan, Convenor LCCI Standing Committee on Pak China Business Promotion Siddiq-ur-Rehman Rana, former VC-UET and Chairman Punjab Curriculum Textbook Board Muhammad Akram Khan, Project Director - CPEC, Ministry of Planning, Development and Reform Doctor Zahir Shah and former finance minister Dr Salman Shah.
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