ISLAMABAD: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), the China Centre for Special Economic Zone Research (CCSEZR) Shenzhen University and the Belt and Road Research Institute for International Cooperation and Development (BRRIICD), Guangdong Province, here on Friday.
The signing of the MoU will improve research and academic cooperation between the institutes and promote friendship and mutual understanding between the people of Pakistan and China in general and the institutes in particular.
The IPRI focuses on multidisciplinary research, promoting civil society-government interactions and policy dialogues on strategic and emerging issues, as well as, events of regional and international importance that have relevance to Pakistan’s national interest and policies, while the CCSEZR assumes missions of academic exploration and collects historical documents to improve the historical record of SEZs development and Chinese reforms.
Speaking on the occasion, Brig (R) Tirmizi said: “This memorandum is a valid continuation of the relationship that CCSEZR and the IPRI established some time ago. It is an important step forward because we now have a structured framework to promote our interaction and achieve common goals through joint activities.”
He invited the CCSEZR and BRRIICD Director Professor Tao Yitao to send scholars to IPRI which supports academic exchange programmes between regional and international think tanks.
Professor Tao Yitaos hared that the CCSEZR encourages overseas scholars to carry out academic research and encouraged them to share and publish their work with the institute.
“We explore patterns of development from general poverty to common prosperity. With influential studies on special economic zones, the institute’s work demonstrates the theoretical implications and realistic significance of China’s road,” she remarked.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by IPRI scholars and members of the Chinese delegation including Journal of Belt and Road Studies Executive Editor Mr William Yun, BRRIICD Secretary Mr Colin Jeung, members of the Shanxi Construction Engineering Company, and media representatives.
Participants also discussed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pointed out that while it is primarily presented as an economic and developmental initiative with mutual benefits for the involved countries, it is also socially and culturally significant. It was agreed that trust and mutual respect is the key to collaboration.
