The Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) on Wednesday, held the first talks of its round table series on economic cooperation between Pakistan and China. The panel discussion was chaired by a senior journalist M Ziauddin and attended by a number of representatives of local and Chinese corporate sectors and think tanks as well as media persons. The participants spoke about the challenges in the development of Kashgar Economic Zone (KEZ), which was meant for Pakistan and central Asian republics, according to Fazlur Rahman of Strategic Studies Institute Islamabad. Economic journalists focused on the challenges and opportunities in the emerging economic bonding with China, urging the Pakistan government and companies to increase exports and develop viable projects. A Chinese CEO working in Pakistan, discussed the obstacles faced due to inflation, bureaucracy, security issues and political instability. The idea to form “Pak-China Investment Fund” also came under discussion and was highly appreciated by the participants. The majority of participants were of the view that Chinese funding would be beneficial for boosting of the local industry. In the concluding session, PCI Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain, thanked the participants and assured to work with different stakeholders to strengthen the economic cooperation between the two countries. The senator also stressed that bureaucratic red-tape was one of the dire issues, quoting the cases of Thar coal project, and Nandipur project in this regard. He added that in the regional context, a ‘Greater South Asia’ was also emerging, which included China, Myanmar, Iran and Afghanistan, linking up with Central Asia and Southeast Asia. He also announced the PCI would serve as a platform to promote economic cooperation. He wished to undertake increased co-operation in the modern technology sector. The session was concluded by the chair, journalist M.Ziauddin stressing the need for increased investment from China, and on realizing its significance as a commercial hub.
