Economic experts have emphasized the need for Saudi Arabia and other countries to participate in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to enhance Pakistan’s economic growth and strengthen regional ties.
Addressing a policy dialogue on Pakistan-China relations, experts highlighted the importance of addressing economic and security challenges to promote investment and regional trade in Pakistan.
The policy dialogue in the federal capital focused on Pakistan-China friendship amid current regional geoeconomic conditions, with participation from economists and diplomats.
Experts pointed out that Pakistan’s current three percent economic growth is insufficient to provide employment for the three million young people entering the job market annually. They stressed the need to involve other countries in CPEC to overcome economic challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Experts, including Haroon Sharif, former Chairman of the Board of Investment, and Hassan Dawood Butt, former Project Director of CPEC, said that regional security challenges must be addressed to accelerate foreign investment and business activity in Pakistan.
The dialogue also highlighted the importance of maintaining strategic balance amid US-China competition, expanding CPEC for shared development and prosperity, connecting South Asia with Central Asia, addressing security challenges, counter-terrorism measures, and institutional reforms within the CPEC framework.
