The extension of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China's Belt and Road Initiative, can greatly help promote connectivity and development in the region, according to a senior Pakistani government official.
Federal Minister for Board of Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, speaking with China Global Television Network (CGTN), hailed the successful cooperation between China and Pakistan under the CPEC, which stretches all the way from the China-Pakistan border to the Pakistani port city of Gwadar in Balochistan Province, over the years.
"China is investing a lot in Pakistan and particularly from CPEC. Huge investment from China has already been invested in various projects and China is taking a lot of interest in Pakistan and we are very happy with the friendship and investment being planned from our friendly country," said the official.
The minister discussed recent developments in expanding the CPEC, noting increased focus on infrastructure and energy projects.
"[There has been] More investment in infrastructure and that [include] power projects. We feel the investment from China can be a boost in all these sectors. Each province there have been SIZs, Special Investment Zones, now more investors are diverting towards Pakistan. We are enhancing this CPEC road to other neighboring countries as I mentioned earlier," he said.
The minister praised the important role the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) plays in promoting regional investment and economic integration, and called for the extension of CPEC cooperation to all the member states of the SCO.
"You see that bilateral relation between China and Pakistan have now been converted to multinational relations. So all those countries, major countries like Russia, other regional countries of Central Asia included in this SCO, and I think that even CPEC will be extended to SCO countries," said Ahmed Sheikh.
Ahmed Sheikh also said improvements in Pakistan's port facilities would facilitate trade, and new ferry services could help transport pilgrims visiting Iran and Iraq.
"Karachi and Gwadar these are the main ports to transport products to Central Asia and this will enhance business and also the investment from all neighboring countries and the regional countries in SCO. We have been thinking on this ferry service since long. Particularly we have been thinking to transport Zaairin (pilgrims) to Iran and Iraq," he said.
Pakistani minister calls for extension of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor to deepen regional integration
