RAWALPINDI: President Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce andIndustry (RCCI) Raja Amer Iqbal has said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is crucial for the country’s economic stability and prosperity.
Talking to a group of traders at RCCI he asked government to set up a working group to analyze and realize maximum opportunities from CPEC. The working groups must include representatives from chambers of commerce, experts and consultants, he suggested.
RCCI president added that while materializing all projects, it should be considered that new industrial zones do not effect existing businesses. A joint venture strategy including Chinese and Pakistani companies can capitalize this golden opportunity, he added.
Raja said: “CPEC is a mega development initiative and a game changer for Pakistan and the region as well. Amer said Rawalpindi is a major city that falls in the northern part of CPEC project that is why there exists a huge potential to boost trade and other business activities in the city.
He urged the government to include Rawalpindi in the CPEC project due to its location, the city has the potential for setting up cold storages, goods transportation and warehouses to carry out the project at a fast pace.
He said Rawalpindi is a hub of trade involving Kashmir, Gilgit, Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtoonkhawa and has road and rail links with various parts of the country. Pharmaceutical, poultry, marble, gem and jewelry, Information technology and defense production are prospective sectors where joint ventures can be started, he added.
Highlighting prospects for technical manpower he said when industrial and trade activities would enhance under the CPEC and create employment opportunities for thousands. Senior vice President Rashid Waien, vice president Asim Malik, members of the executive committee and a large number of traders attended the meeting.
