Pakistan’s Minister of Commerce Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that the visionary initiative of “One Belt One Road (OBOR),” which aims to revive the fabled Silk Road of yesteryears, will bridge social, economic and cultural gaps within regions, equally, fairly, and in an open and inclusive manner says a Press Release received from Beijing here today.
?The Minister said this today in Kunming during his keynote speech at the China-South Asia Business Forum organized on the sidelines of the 4th China-South Asia Expo. Mr Dastgir is leading the Pakistan delegation at the Expo. in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province in Southwest China.
The Commerce Minister further said that ?the stage had been set for an unprecedented economic integration between China and South Asian countries in the days to come, which would help fight the menace of poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, malnutrition and disease in South Asia and offer people a better standard of life and economic opportunities.
?The Minister of Commerce also spoke in detail on the significance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a flagship project of the “One Belt One Road” initiative. CPEC will combine China’s financial and industrial capacity and technological prowess with Pakistan’s plentiful resources, hard-working labour force and potential market. He said that the Government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attached the highest priority and importance to this project and its timely implementation, for which viable mechanisms had been put in place. The Minister expressed the confidence that CPEC will serve as the strongest pillar of economic, commercial and cultural connectivity between the two countries for many decades to come. He pointed out that Industrial and investment cooperation, especially the establishment of industrial zones in Pakistan, was an important aspect of CPEC. He also stressed the regional impact of CPEC as it will herald a new era of regional development and prosperity, benefitting billions of people in the process.
The Minister also attended the Opening Ceremony of the Expo today, which was attended among others by high ranking dignitaries from China and other South Asian countries. The Minister visited the Pakistan Pavilion and interacted with the Pakistani exhibitors. He expressed satisfaction on the overall layout of the Pakistan pavilion and the facilities provided to the exhibitors. He also expressed appreciation for the organizers for allocating 234 booths to Pakistan, which is much higher than the last year and makes Pakistan Pavilion as the largest country Pavilion in the Expo.
?The China-South Asia Expo (CSAE) originated as South Asian Countries Trade Fair in 2007, which was held in Beijing. From 2008 onwards, the South Asian Countries Trade Fair was held annually in Kunming along with the China Import and Export Fair, Kunming. In 2013, the South Asian Countries Trade Fair was renamed as China-South Asia Expo (CSAE).
?The 4th CSAE is being held in Kunming from 12-17 June 2016. TDAP, FPCCI and KCCI are participating in this year’s Expo.
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