KARACHI: Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Resources Jam Kamal Khan Wednesday emphasized the need for understanding demography of Balochistan and phsychology of its people to make China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a big success story of the country.
"It is very important to understand Balochistan, which makes 46 percent of total area of Pakistan and is rich in natural resources," the minister said while speaking at a seminar on CPEC here.
He urged that the people from other areas of the country especially the business persons to interact to maximum possible level with Balochistan people and give them sense of partnership and make them realize what socio-economic change CPEC could bring for them.
He stressed the business leaders, gathered there in a good number, that they should also guide chief minister and ministers of Balochistan about Gwadar and other potential areas of the province so that they could come up with better planning and most viable projects linked to CPEC, and better bargain with federal government in the interest of the province, its people and the country.
The seminar was organised by Sindh Board of Investment and Human Resource Forum. Prominent figures were former president , Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Chief
Executive Officer S.M. Muneer, Senior Vice President FPCCI Shaikh Khalid Tawab, Vice President Hanif Gohar, Ashraf Iqbal Baloch, Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Sindh Secretary Industries, Abdul Rahim Soomro, Chairperson SBI Ms. Naheed Memon, Director SBI Abrar Ahmed Shaikh, Chairman Pakistan National Shipping Corporation Arif Illahi.
Jam Kamal Khan said Balochistan province has various issues which need to be addressed. Balochistan has a great stake in the country.
Talking about CPEC, he argued that dollars 46 billion investment was not a big amount in global scenario. But, he continued, the linkage being built with the region rather with the world was very important.
He said China was not restricted and compelled to invest in CPEC for its access to other countries. But, China has access from other sides as well to do trade with the world. CPEC is just an opener in the region.
China needs Pakistan as its stronger partner for a long period. China wants Pakistan secure and prosperous, he said. Regarding CPEC's after effects, he said China would guard its interests and same is for Pakistan.
State minister for petroleum highlighted the success stories of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and informed the future projects especially relating to energy sector.
Sindh Secretary Industries Abdul Rahim Soomro and Chairperson SBI Naheed Memon spoke of the industrial polices and incentives to attract local and foreign investment in the province.
They elaborated on the some potential projects like Keti Bandar which could be made a part of CPEC.
Chairman Pakistan National Shipping Corporation Arif Illahi presented a brief account of shipping industry in the country.
He was very optimistic that Gwadar would be international hub of trade and investment.
- M. Muneer, Shaikh Khalid Tawab and other business leaders spoke on the prospects of Gwadar and other economic avenues of the country.
They also pointed out the irritants in trade and industrial growth.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2016
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