HONG KONG: Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, addressing the 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and highlighted the country’s growing role as a regional hub for trade, investment and connectivity.
The Minister said Pakistan takes immense pride in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is transforming the country’s economic landscape through enhanced cooperation in infrastructure, energy and industrialisation.
He said CPEC is positioning Pakistan as a major connectivity hub by linking landlocked Central Asia and Western China with warm-water ports and international markets.
“Pakistan is emerging as a vital bridge between West, Central and East Asia,” Jam Kamal Khan said, highlighting expanding rail and road links with China and transit-trade arrangements with neighbouring Central Asian states.
He noted that these connections provide access to a vast regional market of approximately 1.5 billion people. Port reforms, digital customs systems and modern logistics are reducing costs and transit times, strengthening Pakistan’s potential as an emerging transshipment hub.
The Minister said regional cooperation is undergoing a structural transformation, moving beyond transport corridors towards integrated value chains. He stressed the importance of incorporating digital innovation, sustainability and skilled employment into regional trade architecture to ensure inclusive and people-centred prosperity.
Highlighting Pakistan’s improving economic outlook, Jam Kamal Khan said greater macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline and improved credit ratings had strengthened investor confidence. Renewed investment in energy, infrastructure, mining and industry reflected growing international trust in Pakistan’s economic potential, he added.
He said Pakistan’s economic strategy was centred on export-led growth, industrial modernisation, investment facilitation and regulatory reforms, with an emphasis on value addition and deeper integration into global value chains.
“We are focused on developing traditional sectors such as textiles and agro-processing alongside knowledge-based manufacturing and services,” the Minister said.
Jam Kamal Khan also highlighted Pakistan’s considerable agricultural potential, saying climate-smart practices, modern seed technologies and improved supply chains could strengthen food security and increase export earnings.
He invited international investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral sector, including copper, coal and other industrial and critical minerals, under transparent and investor-friendly frameworks.
Referring to Pakistan’s young and growing population, the Minister described it as one of the world’s largest reservoirs of human capital. He said annual remittances of around $40 billion reflected the skills, resilience and global credibility of Pakistan’s overseas workforce.
The Minister invited BRI partners to benefit from emerging opportunities under CPEC Phase II, particularly in industrialisation, agriculture, mining, energy, technology and export-oriented production.
Jam Kamal Khan also highlighted Pakistan’s potential for religious, cultural and nature-based tourism. From towering mountain peaks and scenic valleys to ancient Buddhist, Sikh and Sufi heritage sites, he said Pakistan offered diverse opportunities for tourists and investors in the hospitality industry.
Addressing contemporary global challenges, the Minister identified artificial intelligence, cybersecurity risks and climate-induced food insecurity as major concerns. He said Pakistan was modernising its digital infrastructure while promoting climate-smart agriculture, green industries and renewable energy.
As a climate-vulnerable country, Pakistan seeks deeper cooperation with BRI partners, including Hong Kong, in climate adaptation, technological resilience and sustainable development, he added.
The Minister also emphasised the importance of people-to-people contacts, student exchanges and cultural interaction in building lasting partnerships. He appreciated Hong Kong’s initiative to extend around 150 Belt and Road scholarships to students from partner countries.
Jam Kamal Khan commended Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee for strengthening economic engagement across Central and South Asia and extended an invitation to him to visit Pakistan.
Concluding his address, the Minister said Pakistan remained committed to connecting the BRI with South and Southeast Asia and promoting business, investment, regional integration and inclusive development.
“We look forward to working jointly with our partners to unlock new opportunities and achieve long-term, high-quality and inclusive prosperity,” Jam Kamal Khan said.
