BEIJING: China’s Commerce Minister Zhong Shan has hoped that Pakistan and other countries along the One Belt One Road (OBOR) will get a big support in overcoming their unemployment problem.
China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a major and pilot project of OBOR is source of strength to maintain the momentum of their growing partnership in addressing the socio-economic issues like unemployment, he said here while addressing a news conference, following the 12th National People’s Congress (NPC) session.
Trade volume of China along the OBOR countries has touched to billions of dollars which is a significant for the related countries. OBOR has initiated one hundred and eighty thousand jobs in the belt and road countries which is a historic job creation by any project in the last four years.
The Minister said, the technology of China and experiences were being shared with Pakistan and other concerned countries under OBOR initiative.
More than 20 heads of state and government, over 50 leaders of international organizations, over 100 ministerial-level officials, as well as over 1,200 delegates from various countries and regions will participate in the Belt and Road forum for international cooperation in May in Beijing.,
Commerce minister also talked about China-US trade relations, China’s investment plans about Africa, structural adjustments and innovation plans and foreign direct investment. The forum in May will build consensus and connect development strategies of various countries as the infrastructural projects in OBOR countries were being appreciated.
“56 economic zones were being built with the investment of 18.5 billion dollars in concerned countries”, said Zhong.
Medium and long term cooperation initiatives will be announced and long-term cooperation mechanisms explored to build a closer and more result-oriented network of partnerships.
He also emphasized that trade war between China and US will not bring anything to both but the harms, so enhancing the cooperation is the only option left.
The bilateral relationship between two has a great impact on the international community, he added.
Zhong Shan reiterated the government’s open attitude towards foreign investment and his confidence in realizing a relatively high FDI level last year.