Muhammad Zamir Assadi

The announcement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should be "better explained to Turkish entrepreneurs", adding that the country is "ready to work on that" dispels the western propagation about China’s thereat and  pose a confidence on the transparency of a project destined to change the socio-economic outlook of Pakistan and the region.

The keen interest and expression of Turkish president about CPEC on his visit to Pakistan shows that various initiatives of Belt and Road has offered a new development model featuring mutual and multilateral benefits based on comprehensive consultations.

The willingness of Turkey to explore opportunities in the CPEC generates the clear message for the international community that Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is not an entity or institution rather it is a concept and initiative for cooperation and development not only between China and the member countries but for others as well.

By having a close eye on the supply chain of BRI , it is very easy to understand that both Pakistan and Turkey enjoy a strategic position as Pakistan under CPEC will connect China’s western autonomous region Xinjiang to the Middle East and Africa and beyond through Gwadar port while Turkey is offering the connectivity to China with the Europe.

On his visit to Beijing in 2019, Turkish president has stated that the BRI "has emerged as the greatest development project of the 21st century encompassing over 100 nations and international organizations, " adding that all the effort put into the project is "all in line with President Xi's vision."

Being an ardent supporter of BRI and having a brotherly relationship with Pakistan, Turkey will be a reliable partner for the 2nd phase of CPEC.

CPEC under the umbrella of BRI emphasizes the principle of wide consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits along with the notion of being open and inclusive to all.

CPEC, a major pilot project of the China-proposed Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, is emerging as the successful initiative of BRI.

The rising interest of global community for exploring the potentials of CPEC also generates the message that BRI is not a Chinese version of Marshal Plan rather it has transcended the latter and it has emerged on the concept of win-win situation.

China, the 2nd largest economy of the world has also announced to welcome the inclusion of 3rd parties into the CPEC.

Chinese foreign office has repeatedly stated that “For us, we regard the CPEC as a framework for cooperation built by the two sides with a focus on the long-term development of bilateral cooperation in various fields. We hope that the CPEC will not only promote the economic and social development of China and Pakistan, but also contribute to regional connectivity, peace, stability and prosperity,”

At a business council forum held for Pakistani and Business Turkish community, it was explained that CPEC and Pakistan’s vision 2025 are well matched and this initiative shares the same goal with the vision 205, which is improving the sustainability and vitality of Pakistan’s economic growth and promoting the livelihood of Pakistani nation.

Pakistan also sees CPEC as a historical opportunity which could lead regional economic integration of Pakistan and Turkey can also play its vital role for Islamabad.

Pakistan is located at the crossroads of South Asia, Central Asia, China and Middle East which makes Pakistan as a gateway to biggest regional market of the world.

The successful completion of CPEC phase-1 has attracted other countries to dig the opportunities for them in the flagship project of BRI through equal coordination, communication and mutual understanding where sustainable fruits of development may be shared for jointly building the prosperous societies.

CPEC phase 1 successfully completed the 13 projects worth of $ 19 billion under the $ 60 billion CPEC project. The smooth functioning of CPEC for the completion of mega projects played a flagship leading and demonstration role in BRI construction.

The initial phase primarily focused on energy projects, infrastructural initiatives, and development of Gwadar port while now the 2nd phase of CPEC is carrying the opportunities for international community to invest in industrialization, agriculture and socio economic development with the favorable business environment offered by the government.

Under the vision 2025, Pakistan is also inviting international investors to invest in it’s tourism sector which has a vast potential to tap. Turkey has huge experience to develop its tourism sector which is earning mega revenues from the international tourists annually.

Turkey amongst the world's top 20 economies and having the trusted relationship with Pakistan may invest in health, finance, mining, railway , aviation, infrastructure, tourism, education, banking, textile and human resource development.

Turkish investment in these sectors will open new avenues of cooperation, business exchanges and enhancement of cultural ties as well which will invite enormous benefits for both sides.

The author is Muhammad Zamir Assadi, a journalist with Independent News Pakistan, a leading news agency in Pakistan.