Balochistan's development beneficial to entire region: Achakzai
Shares
ISLAMABAD, (APP): Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai said that "China's Road and Belt initiative was an innovative project that would generate not only greater connectivity for trade and economic opportunities but will help in development of economically deprived areas in various parts of the world.
He was speaking at a briefing seminar at the European Institute of Asian Studies (EIAS) Brussels on the topic `Balochistan: Key to socio-economic development and connectivity in the region,' a message received here said.
The seminar was jointly organized by the Embassy of Pakistan,Brussels and the European Institute of Asian Studies.
The Governor said "China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would connect China to Afghanistan, Iran, Middle East and Asia and at the same time the trade route, by taking in fold China's north western territory of Xinjiang and Pakistan's south western province of Balochistan would help in bringing these two areas at par with other developed regions in the respective countries".
He said that in today's world development and growth has to be egalitarian otherwise it leads to conflict and chaos.
He said that trade and development brings prosperity which leads to strengthening of values of tolerance and democracy.
He further said that CPEC holds opportunities for European countries as by setting up industry in industrial zones in areas close to the trade route could be beneficial for them as well.
"Balochistan is preparing itself to become hub of economic activity and connectivity and our development is beneficial not only to our own people, but also for those around us and beyond", he added.
He said that European Union was taking great interest in the Projects related to education water management and renewable energy in the province of Balochistan.
The Governor also referred to cooperation with EU which is progressing satisfactorily.
"Let me take this opportunity to thankfully acknowledge the support that we receive for our initiatives from international partners.
Recently, together with the EU, we have prepared a six- year Balochistan Rural Development and Community Empowerment Programme to reduce the negative impact of economic deprivation,poverty, environmental degradation and climate change", he said.
In her concluding remarks Ambassador Mrs Naghmana Alamgir Hashmi said that there were many misperceptions about the CPEC.
Whereas contrary to misperception that it was a project merely for building roads,she said 70% of the investment in CPEC was towards energy sector.
