HAINAN
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday urged the Asian countries to wage coordinated efforts for realisation of the goal of economic prosperity.
He was delivering his keynote address at the Boao conference in China’s Hainan province on Thursday. He said priority should be given to the resolution of disputes as peace was a prerequisite to economic development. Nawaz praised China’s economic revival and growth in the last several years.
He said the Asian countries should focus on regional connectivity to strengthen mutual contacts through road, sea, and train links. He said Pakistan-China Economic Corridor would open new avenues for the development in the region. The PM said the Asian countries should take effective steps to tap the energies of their youth.
He said the Pakistani government has started the Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loan scheme and announced scholarships for youths to integrate them into the economic mainstream.
Nawaz said the government was also concentrating on overcoming the energy shortfall to ensure its economic development. He said Pakistan has emerged from the lengthy war on terror, which has negatively affected its economy, trade and industry.
Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang called for strengthening of cooperation among the Asian countries. He said this while inaugurating the Boao conference. It has been organised by Boao Forum for Asia. The Chinese premier said that development remains the top priority of the Asian countries. He emphasized the need for shared interest and common development of the regional countries.
Keqiang said Boao Forum is significant for the economic development of Asia.
Nawaz would join other world leaders, including the PMs of Australia, South Korea and Kazakhstan at a banquet to be hosted by the Chinese premier.
He would also address a seminar on “Reviving the Silk Road”. It would be attended by the leaders of China, Iran and Kazakhstan. Nawaz would hold a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on the sideline of the conference.
The two leaders would review the progress in bilateral ties- with particular focus on economic cooperation and Pakistan-China Economic Corridor.