BEIJING, November 1 (INP): An Int’l Conference on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) held in the Chinese city of Wuhan this week discussed ways and means to promote construction and development of this mega project.

It was co-organized by the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan)’s China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Research Center, School of Public Administration and the Silk Road Institute.

According to China Economic Net, during the two-day conference, scholars, experts and other guests from China and Pakistan discussed about the investment, employment, poverty alleviation, special economic zones and the China-Pakistan education cooperation and so on. The conference was addressed among others by Abdul Samie, a senior official from the Pakistani Prime Minister’s Office, who highlighted Pakistan’s focus on CPEC for its smooth functioning

The present government regards the CPEC as a gateway for progress and prosperity, which offers abundant opportunities. The government has made commitment to try their best to make CPEC a real trade and economic corridor.

According to Mr Samie, the government thinks that China’s commitment plays an important role in Gwadar Port’s development. The projects under CPEC in Gwadar not only boost the local economy but also create jobs for the youth.

As for the Special Economic Zones (SEZs), they will be developed by the investment in infrastructures or carrying on China’s labor-intensive industries. Pakistan will further improve business environment to attract more investments and expand goods and service exports to China. Tang Mengsheng, Director of Pakistan Research Center, Peking University, delivers at an international conference on the construction and development of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor held on Oct. 30-31 in Wuhan.

With the CPEC entering the second phase, the construction of industrial park is an important part. Mr Tang Mengsheng, Director of Pakistan Research Center, Peking University gave some suggestions. First, the number of industrial parks should be moderate. Second, the industrial park should have a precise positioning, as every park has different resources and talents.

The industrial cooperation with the border areas should be strengthened so as to benefit two nations. Third, the existing industrial parks should be upgraded. Pakistan manufacturing should be promoted so as to increase exports. Fourth, it is better to develop industrial parks with an overall view instead of within a province.

Xie Xiaoqing, Director of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Research Center, shared her study on the impact of Chinese investment on employment promotion in Pakistan under the framework of CPEC.

Ms Xie made five pieces of suggestions. There should be a long-term joint employment policy under the framework of CPEC. It should respect each other’s culture and build common ground. Staff training should be given high attention. It should keep close watch on labor protection and labor risk management. More employment opportunities should be created for local people.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Research Center of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) established in 2017 aims to become a platform for education, science and technology cooperation between China and Pakistan.

INP/JAVED