ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for Commerce Khurram Dastgir Khan has said that Pakistan and China are working on one of the largest economic and development plans ever, which is rightly termed as a ‘game-changer’ and ‘fate-changer’, especially for Pakistan.

The minister was addressing a gathering at the ‘International Production Capacity Cooperation Forum of the 4th China-South Asia Expo’ held in Kunming, China on Monday. The Minister for Science and Technology, Rana Tanveer, and a business delegation from Pakistan also participated in the event, according to a press statement issued here.

Dastgir pointed out that all the participating countries had so much to learn from each other, especially from China, which had been setting milestones after milestones in production capacity growth over the last four decades.

“In today’s globalised world, it is imperative to work collectively and seek solutions to the problems like regional developmental disparities,” the minister emphasised. He urged the Chinese investors to start ventures with Pakistanis to ensure win-win situation for both Pakistani and Chinese businessmen.

“It is a high time that businessmen from both sides started focusing on benefitting from the strong foundations laid by the two governments to further develop business-to-business ties,” he said, adding, “The Government of Pakistan will provide special facilitation to the Chinese investors.”

Dastgir also spoke at the session on ‘The Construction & Development of One Belt and One Road & Industrial Cooperation (Infrastructure, Tourism, Education, Health).

He not only highlighted the importance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor for Pakistan, but also said the impact of CPEC on the region was equally important. “We are confident that CPEC, through its network of roads, railways and industrial parks, will herald a new era of regional connectivity, development and prosperity. This in turn will benefit billions of people in the region,” the minister hoped.

He was of the view that CPEC was a remarkable case study for students and researchers alike in terms of its significance in providing linkages between Chinese and Pakistani economies.

“It aims at combining China’s financial and industrial capacity and technological prowess with Pakistan’s plentiful resources, hard-working labor force and potential market,” he added.

The minister said that as CPEC’s implementation progressed smoothly, it would indeed establish a new model and set new parameters, standards and criterion for the rest of the world to follow in terms of bilateral and regional economic cooperation.

Dastgir also held talks with Li Jiheng, Secretary of the Yunan Provincial Committee of Communist Party of China, and with high government officials of Yunan province and discussed prospects of economic cooperation.

The minister was assisted by Pakistan’s Ambassador in China Masood Khalid, Counsel General Chengdu Amna Baloch and Commercial Counselor Beijing Dr Erfa Iqbal.

The minister also expressed appreciation for the organisers for allocating 234 booths to Pakistan, which were much higher than those allocated last year and made Pakistan Pavilion the largest country pavilion in the Expo.

The China-South Asia Expo (CSAE) originated from South Asian Countries Trade Fair, which was held in Beijing in 2007.

From 2008 onwards, the Fair was held annually in Kunming along with the China Import and Export Fair, Kunming.

In 2013, the South Asian Countries Trade Fair was renamed as China-South Asia Expo.

The 4th CSAE is being held in Kunming from 12-17 June 2016. Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Karachi Chambers of Commerce and Industry are participating in this year’s Expo.