University of Peshawar, Khybar Pakhtunkhwa Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) and Golden Ring Economic Forum (GREF) jointly organized a seminar on “Regional Connectivity – Economic and Trade Opportunities for Pakistan with Golden Ring Countries (GRCs) and Central Asian Republic’s (CARs)” on August 22, 2022 at Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Khan Auditorium, University of Peshawar.
Prof Dr. Zahid Anwar Pro Vice Chancellor and Director China Study Center, University of Peshawar welcomed all the guests’ speakers, researcher, government officials, students and academician to the seminar. While addressing the seminar he stated that Regional connectivity is the level and effectiveness of regional networks to facilitate flows of goods, services, people and knowledge. BRI is the largest coordinated infrastructure plan in human history. It reduces the travel time by 12% resultantly also reduced travel costs. he added
Dr. Hassan Daud Butt, CEO-KPBOIT in his presentation focused on the different projects going on in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that under CPEC various projects are initiated in KP.
Chairman GREF Lt Gen Sikander Afzal, HI (M), retired talked about The Golden Ring Countries and Stated That Pakistan has important geographical position.
Prof. Dr. Hussain S. Suhrwardy stated about the Global order, regional connectivity, and Security in the golden ring countries.
Mr. LIU Debing, Senior Fellow from China talked about the China openness policy to the world. BRI is the project started by China and it will help in developing the participating countries he added
Capt. (R) Mr. Tian, President Global Governance Institute spoke about the “Common Identities and Opportunities of BRI “.He said that China respects every country integrity and sovereignty. He focused on the opportunities for BRI countries.
Mr. Muhammad Ali Gulfaraz, MD Bank of Khyber emphases that Pakistan business is facing different challenges. He said that under CPEC infrastructure has been built and it provides the shortest route to China to access other world.
Engr. Hasnain Reza Mirza, President GREF in his presentation thoroughly discussed that trade route for GRCs countries. and talked about the Pakistan’s potential exports with GRCs.
Mr. Ahmer Bilal Soofi emphasized on the Transit Trade Agreement and Establishment of a Joint Customs Union between Pakistan, GRC’s And CAR’s”.
Mr. Shahid Hussain, Ex-Sr. Vice President, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry talked about the challenges faced by the Transit Trade to GRC’s and CAR’s
Dr. Zainab Ahmed enlightened the audience with Evolving Geo-political and Geo-economics Environment and she highlighted the six major conflict areas in Asia.
Mr. Adnan Jalil, Former President, Peshawar Small Chamber Association talked about Promoting Globalization as an instrument for Poverty Alleviation. And said that Pakistan is facing numerous challenges. and it is need of time to utilize CPEC opportunities.
Prof Dr. Muhammad Idrees in his Closing Remarks thanked all the guests’ speakers, researcher, government officials, students and academician for joining the seminar. He said that today’s seminar topic is very important. BRI is a mega project and CPEC is a part of it. CPEC brings many opportunities for Pakistan and we must utilize these opportunities.
