SAARC Chamber terms PM's visit to China a big success

November 5, 2018: SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday termed the Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to China a big success for Pakistan as it would help the country steer out of the quagmire of economic crisis.

It said that Imran Khan’s long run economic approach would also put Pakistan on the path of self-reliance as he has a vision and dynamic leadership quality and can play constructive role to strengthen SAARC by bringing China in the folder of South Asian countries which would be harbinger of prosperity and peace in the region.

In a statement SAARC Senior Vice President Iftikhar Ali Malik said that deeper economic cooperation with China would usher in a new era of progress, prosperity, development, economic growth and welfare of the people of the South Asian region.        

He said that South Asia was mired in several crisis and conflicts at the moment due to various unresolved political and geographical factors and all these issues would be resolved effectively through strong regional connectivity and business to business contacts.

Highlighting the role of China in building the South Asian economy, he said China is the world’s second largest economy and a global power.

“China has huge foreign reserves and is massively investing in infrastructure in different parts of the world. The cash-strapped SAARC is in dire need of foreign investments to tap into its natural resources. China’s entry will undoubtedly bring dramatic economic changes to the region and the lives of its people,” he added.

He said since the creation of the SAARC Chamber in 2006, the bilateral trade between China and the South Asian countries increased with a tremendous growth rate of 15 percent annually.       

He said that South Asia and Southeast Asia have become new driving engines for global economic growth in the region.

He said that stability is a key to making the country an economic giant and this is only possible when all political parties sit together setting aside their political differences to chalk out a comprehensive economic plan for the betterment of the people of Pakistan.

Iftikhar Ali said Pakistan had all resources to become an economic giant but only need is to set directions with zeal, courage and sincerity. He said Pakistan’s huge mineral resources could help get rid of the economic ills.

Reiterating his earlier stance, he said Imran Khan will utilize his best leadership flair and available resources for the promotion of trade and industry in South Asian region.

(APP)