Reviving Economic Trends with CEPC

“Even as individuals become families and  families become communities, and communities become nations, so eventually must the nations draw together in peace.” - Marjorie Watts

It is fact that emerging economies are struggling to replicate the growth of the past. As universal driver of long-run living standards, weak economic growth is a serious problem. Pakistan is one of the countries which has experimented with several economic models during its existence. One Belt One Road (OBOR) is primarily a Chinese strategy to unveiled world its dream to revive the ancient Silk Road by undertaking enormous infrastructure projects and adding value to ports around the huge Silk Road.

CPEC is going to be a major breakthrough regionally and globally proves to be an economic and trade player. It allows people’s access to have freer trade relationship with the EU, BRI is constructively playing its part. Efficient infrastructure is improving the accessibility to markets, reduce cost of fuel, enhance transfer of knowledge, increase the investment level and job opportunities.

I have the privilege of meeting few entrepreneurs, which means I also witness their perspective about the changing times with regard to CPEC. I believe that Pakistan’s economy clearly needs reform to better serve its people. CPEC is considered to be a reviving pathway for Pakistan’s economy as several projects are on their way towards the completion phase. But the corridor risks aggravating political tension, widening social divides and generating new sources of conflict in Pakistan. I believe it is a strategic economic project to enhance economic connectivity between Pakistan and China; our government should mitigate risks to be more translucent about CPEC plans, conferring all stakeholders, including smaller provinces, the business community and civil society, and addressing concerns that the corridor subordinates Pakistan’s interests to those of China. It is time that CPEC national consensus emerges in Pakistan that includes economic advancement, counter-terrorism and foreign policy. As a result, Pakistan will be able to find its rightful place in the 21st century.