The
Secretary Planning, Development and Reform (PD&R), Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui
has said that CPEC is moving to next stage of development by entering into
industrialization phase where Pakistan’s private sector has to play a leading
and proactive role.
He
expressed these views while addressing a consultative meeting of Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Friday at
Ministry of Planning.
The
meeting was attended by the Secretary Board of Investment (BoI), Sumaira Nazir
Siddiqui, President Islamabad Chamber Shiekh Amir Waheed, President Rawalpindi
Chamber Zahid Latif Khan, members of both the chambers and officials from CPEC
Secretariat and BoI.
Shoaib
Ahmad Siddiqui said that under the win-win cooperation framework between China
and Pakistan in the shape of CPEC, both the countries demonstrated tremendous
resolve to make dream a reality. He said that the trade and industry
development, for Pakistan, is the main gain from CPEC as a driving force for
economic growth and to take the fruits of CPEC to the lesser developed regions
of Pakistan. “This process is inclusive, not exclusive and it will help create
efficient and competitive industrial clusters to attract investment and to
diversify exports”, he remarked.
He
said that industrial cooperation phase under CPEC is at advance stage where
officials and experts of both the sides are engaged to level ground for
investment and develop SEZs in line with the modern trends. He pointed out that
Government of Pakistan has ensured to kept local business community onboard and
it is evident of the fact that elected leadership of the community has been
made part of every consultation process; either internal preparation or on the
level of Joint Working Group and Joint Cooperation Committee of CPEC. “This
shows the government resolve and openness to make this endeavor, a successful
one, enabling local investors to accrue maximum benefits of this
cooperation”. He ensured that the process of consultation will continue
and local industry would be safeguarded.
He
said that Government of Pakistan has already announced a comprehensive and a
business friendly incentive package aimed at up-scaling investments and grows
the industry. “The incentive package and policy is very liberal and open for
all investors; local, Chinese and others” he reiterated. He said that now
it is the time to go a step forward and envisage on more concrete and focused
efforts where Pakistan’s private sector has to play a leading role. “Local
investors need to look for venues being created by the CPEC industrial
cooperation, trying to enter into joint ventures with Chinese and other
businessmen” he said.
Presidents
of both the Chambers have expressed their full optimism regarding CPEC,
declaring the project as a game changer and future of the new generation. They
also appreciated the government policy of openness where business community has
been provided full chance of representation in consultation process for CPEC.
It was highlighted that local investors are ready to grasp the opportunities
being created by this multi-billion project. The business community also
forwarded a number of proposals for boosting the industrial cooperation under
CPEC.
***