Executive Vice Chairman Zhang Xiaoqiang meets with Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform of Pakistan Ahsan Iqbal

On 26 September 2016, Mr. Zhang Xiaoqiang, Executive Vice Chairman of CCIEE, met with Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning, Development and Reform of Pakistan. They exchanged views on the current construction and future development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as well as the participation of other economies in the project.

Mr. Zhang Xiaoqiang said that the implementation of the “Belt and Road” initiative has got off to a good start, making considerable progress in the past three years. As a flagship project of the “Belt and Road” initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has yielded fruitful results. The recent statements by leaders of the two countries has set the direction for the construction of the “Belt and Road” and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. He noted that it is important for the relevant countries to strengthen cooperation in dealing with the weak economic recovery and rising protectionism based on the consensus reached at the G20 summit, so as to restore the vitality of the global economy and embark on a path of inclusive development. By strengthening policy coordination, facility connectivity, unimpeded trade flow, financial integration and people-to-people connections, we will be able to build a green, healthy, intelligent and peaceful Silk Road. We need to make sure that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor creates more job opportunities for the Pakistani people and the “Belt and Road” initiative is well implemented to the benefit of the people in countries along the routes.

The two sides agreed that China and Pakistan need to step up exchanges and cooperation in promoting “software” development, including the technical knowhow, and discussed the specific ways and channels to do that.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Mr. Masood Khalid, Special Envoy for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Zafaruddin Mahmood, and Head of the CCIEE Department of Strategy Research Xu Zhanchen were present at the meeting.