ISLAMABAD - Pak-China economic corridor is the most significant project as it would usher in a new era of economic progress and prosperity for both countries and would benefit this region as well as the whole world.
These remarks were made by Li Sahao Tong, Commercial Counselor, Embassy of China, while exchanging views with local businessmen at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
He said economic corridor offers bright future to Pakistan and China and investors of both countries should take advantage of this opportunity for make investment and start joint ventures. He said China Airlines is soon going to start its flights from Beijing to Islamabad and Karachi and it would facilitate businessmen of both countries to exchange visits for exploring trade promotion and mutual cooperation. He said launch of direct flights by Rayyan Air between Islamabad and Kashgar would also help in improving Pak-China bilateral trade.
He stressed that entrepreneurs of both countries should meet frequently to explore all avenues of bilateral cooperation and strengthen commercial relations. He said ICCI should invite a delegation of China Chamber of Commerce & Industry to Islamabad to promote direct interactions.
He assured that Chinese Embassy would try its level best to facilitate Pakistani entrepreneurs in grant of visa so that they could visit China for business promotion.
In his welcome address, Zafar Bakhtawari, President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry, said Pak-China economic corridor has created a new hope in business community for better business prospects.
He was of the view that this corridor would not only improve bilateral trade and economic relations, it would also promote goodwill between the two nations.
He said construction of roads and railway links from Gwadar to Kashgar would take time and as a short term strategy, both countries should give priority focus to connecting their major cities through direct air links to facilitate two-way trade. It would also help in laying the foundation for long-term economic relations between Pakistan and China.
He said China should grant multiple visas to Pakistani businessmen so that they could frequently visit China. He said both countries should adopt liberal visa policy to promote commercial ties up to the potential. He said currently Pakistani businessmen have to go to Guangzhou via Hong Kong which is costly and time wasting and China should start a direct flight from Guangzhou to Lahore to facilitate enhanced exchange of trade delegations.
He assured that ICCI would work closely with Chinese Embassy for promoting bilateral trade and economic relations between the two countries.