INVESTMENT FROM SINGAPORE IN CPEC

Muhammad Omar Iftikhar

It is indeed a welcome step by the CPEC Chairman, Lt Gen (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa to urge investors from Singapore to tap into the opportunities at the newly established Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC.

He was addressing as a Keynote Speaker at a webinar on “Investment Opportunities in CPEC related SEZs”. Indeed, such collaboration will be a win-win scenario for CPEC and all investors involved. The Chairman CPEC was confident that Pakistan is moving towards development and tapping into the potential of industrialization. Such aspects will be attractive for the investors in Singapore. During the webinar, Chairman CPEC shared that Singapore could be a role model for economic development in Pakistan.

 He added that the Pakistani government can use such expertise in industrialization as well as in science and technology.    In a broader context, Singapore and Pakistan can join hands through MoUs to exchange information, develop expertise in technology and assist each other in socio-economic projects.

While Pakistan and China are moving together to complete CPEC, countries such as Singapore – having smooth relations with Pakistan and China – can add value to the project.  CPEC needs to be completed as per the schedule so it can provide benefits – social and economic – to the stakeholders. Pakistan and China – if their governments allow – can create a union of all stakeholders involved in the CPEC project so they can work towards regional development through collaboration, cooperation, and partnership.

While this is just a dream, the CPEC itself will create a harmonious union of all stakeholders who will pursue effective planning and implementation of their respective goals and projects.  Through CPEC, trade, and economy, industrialization, along with manufacturing will take a front seat in Pakistan and in countries where CPEC is making its mark. With a joint effort, the economic future of South and Southeast Asia looks bright.