ISLAMABAD: Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar stated on Wednesday that Pakistan, having accomplished the first phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is reaping the benefits of its early harvest projects.
During an interview with a Chinese news broadcaster at the World Economic Forum in Davos, he emphasized the ongoing engagement with Beijing to execute the next phase of CPEC.
PM Kakar highlighted the requirements for the second phase, emphasizing the need for road and air connectivity around industrialization projects. He mentioned the significant progress in developing connectivity, including roads, air, and other corridor linkages, facilitating trade between the two countries.
Expressing optimism about the Chinese economy, Kakar underscored the interconnectedness between China and the rest of the world due to its vast consumer and producer base. He emphasized the importance of remaining connected, given China’s position as a massive marketplace.
When discussing his government’s priorities, the interim prime minister pointed to economic revival, technology transformation, and taxation reforms. He positioned Pakistan as a middle ground amidst global discourse and regional conflicts, advocating for fiscal responsibility by earning more and spending less domestically.
PM Kakar emphasized Pakistan’s focus on leveraging opportunities in the region, including the Belt and Road Initiative and the relocation of China’s industry. He endorsed policies encouraging businesses, providing competitive electricity prices, and promoting the production of exportable goods.
The prime minister highlighted the government’s attention to Special Economic Zones and the formulation of policies to attract foreign direct investment. He stressed the need to bridge the divide between the Global South and North for mutual coexistence.
Regarding the upcoming general elections in Pakistan, Kakar expressed good wishes for the contestants and hoped that economic revival would be a central agenda in their respective plans.
