Karachi: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will be a milestone for Pakistan’s economy while transparency, clarity and synchronization on CPEC must be maintained to resolve the controversial issues and to develop national consensus on CPEC. This was stated by Abdul Rauf Alam, President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) in a meeting with Director General Planning Commission Gen. Zahir Shah and Member, Planning Commission Dr. Fahim who visited FPCCI Head Office, Karachi to meet the members of FPCCI’s Committee on CPEC.
Alam said the government should clear three hypothesis on the matter of rout of CPEC, import of Chinese labour and material in the light of existing FTA and regional and global implications of this project. He referred the FPCCI’s Economic Vision 2025 and said that Pakistan has to maintain 7% growth rate to achieve economic targets and CPEC is one of important projects for the revival of our economy.
He further said that FPCCI suggests that the economic zones on the sidelines of CPEC would be the tools for its the success. However, the management of such economic zones should be awarded to private sector for fruitful results. He suggested that Planning Commission should organize brain storming sessions through Seminars, Workshops and Roundtable dialogues in all provinces with close collaboration of FPCCI as per the MOU signed between FPCCI and Planning Commission last year.
On the occasion, the members of the committee urged the government to reveal the policies, projects relating to CPEC to enable them to give their input in a right direction. They said that business community and general public have questions about the correct route of the road, material to be imported from China and labour as well and what will be the mechanism of special economic zones around the CPEC and industrial investment plan in these zones.
Director General Planning Commission, General Zahir Shah said that CPEC is a good opportunity for both China and Pakistan.
