Pakistan China Economic Cooperation: Next Level

Yasir Masood Deputy Director Media and Publications delivered a talk on “CPEC: Progress and Prospects” at a one day national conference entitled, “Pakistan China Economic Cooperation: Next Level” held at Islamabad Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad on 6 March 2019. During the three sessions of the conference, a wide-range of views were shared by the participants. There was a consensus among the panelists that there is a need to move beyond rhetorical jargons and fancy terms, instead true economic potential of CPEC should be realized by conducting extensive research and feasibility studies, complimenting SEZs with adequate infrastructure, learning from China’s policy of SMEs, contributing to global value chain, taking measures to alleviate poverty and adopting best practices in the realm of Blue Economy.  It was agreed upon that, while keeping the Chinese thrust of neo-regional connectivity alive, a great deal of development dividends can be yielded. It was also highlighted that a harmonized political will and continuity of policy on CPEC will maximize the dividends.