ISLAMABAD: The government has warmly welcomed Britain’s desire to become a key partner in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal told Radio Pakistan on Friday that several other countries in the European Union as well as Central Asian Republics had shown a keen interest in CPEC. “Their inclination towards the project proves that CPEC was not restricted only to Pakistan and China, but has a greater regional impact that will promote connectivity in the region and beyond,” he said. He said that CPEC would make the country a manufacturing and commerce hub. “The establishment of economic zones under CPEC will fortify economic growth and help create job opportunities in the country,” the minister said. Earlier, UK’s Minister of State for International Trade Greg Hands had expressed Britain’s readiness for CPEC during a business round-table in Islamabad. “Britain is a country of global influence and can be an important partner for China and Pakistan in the delivery of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which has the potential to build closer links between our countries,” said the UK minister. Other participants in the round-table included experts from City UK, RUSI and the China Britain Business Council. HSBC, Deloitte and Standard Chartered had also discussed how they and other British firms could support CPEC.
