LAHORE: Former president of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Iftikhar Ali Malik, on Tuesday said that Pakistan’s strategic location is highly conducive to fostering regional connectivity.
He said that Pakistan’s geographical positioning is ideal for establishing sea routes that connect Central Asian nations, thereby enhancing regional economic integration and bolstering trilateral trade.
During a meeting with a delegation of industrialists led by Muslim Khan Buneri, Malik pointed out that Central Asian countries are landlocked, making Pakistan a valuable gateway by providing shorter and hassle-free sea access. He also stressed that Pakistan is well-positioned to facilitate regional connectivity for member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), which would stimulate trade not only among member states but also with nations beyond the region.
Pakistan’s Role in Promoting Regional Trade Activities
Malik highlighted the potential benefits of developing transport corridors and logistics infrastructure, leading to mutually advantageous outcomes for all SCO member states. He underscored the multi-dimensional nature of the SCO in terms of its scope and functioning, asserting that Pakistan can harness its advantages. With 21 member countries and a mandate focused on enhancing economic cooperation, the SCO has the potential to usher in a new era of prosperity, progress, and development in the region.
Malik further emphasized the importance of leveraging the SCO’s potential under China’s leadership to promote sustained regional economic growth. He identified Pakistan as a pivotal trans-shipment and trade hub for SCO countries, capable of playing a constructive role in strengthening the organization. He concluded by affirming the willingness of Pakistan’s private sector to advance the SCO’s development agenda, with the goal of accelerating economic activities in the region.
