Business community urged to benefit maximum from CPEC

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LAHORE: The business community of Pakistan, especially traders and industrialists related with port, shipping and logistics sectors, should start quick planning to reap maximum benefits from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The speakers suggested this at an international conference, arranged by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) on CPEC Opportunities for Local Businesses at a hotel on the other day.

A large number of local and international delegates including  Moin Malik, CEO Agility Logistics;  Mehboob Ellahi, Director Project  NLC;  Muhammad Anwar, Convener NTTFC, Saiyad Shahzad Sultan, China Oversees Port Holding Company; Tariq M Rangoonwala, Chairman PNC-ICC;  Javed Mansoor, Former Executive Secretary, Ministry of Commerce; Muhammad Ilyas, Chairman PIFFA,  Kamran Ali Chatha, Associate Dean Suleman Dawood School of Business, LUMS; and representatives from All Pakistan Business Forum (APBF); FWO, logistic & transport sector companies, various chambers of commerce & industry and trade associations participated in the event.

The conference provided a platform for development organisations, donors, experts, government departments and business community to interact and share their knowledge on how to reap maximum benefit from this multibillion-dollar undertaking. It also provided a valuable opportunity for developing networking with important national and international stakeholders.

Information on CPEC project and its associated opportunities to the business community such as CPEC infrastructure development & opportunity, Gwadar Port Terminal, industrial zones & logistic facilities, CPEC supply chain, operationalization of Gwadar Port; TIR- Implementation in Pakistan, Trucing Policy; CMR Conventions & regulatory framework for transport through CPEC routes; and CPEC &regional connectivity was shared with the participants.

Raja Hassnain Javed, Provincial Chief SMEDA Punjab, highlighted business opportunities for SMEs in CPEC.

He also addressed participants’ concerns over “How CPEC is a game-changer” as well as how business community can benefit from this multimillion dollar undertaking.

He also explained SMEDA’s development assistance to SME for achieving maximum benefit from CPEC initiatives.

The conference concluded with a vote of thanks from Provincial Chief SMEDA Punjab to panelists and delegates.