President Dr. Arif Alvi said that the CPEC is an important milestone in the journey of development and prosperity that would create new avenues and opportunities of trade and investment in the country.

He was addressing the opening ceremony of the 5th China Agro Chemical Pakistan Summit at the Expo Center in Lahore on Thursday afternoon.

He said that China is a time-tested friend of Pakistan which always stood with it in every hour of difficulty. The President expressed hope that the execution of the CPEC projects and the accomplishment of 'one-road, one-belt' plan will open new vistas of investment, trade and technology in Pakistan.

Arif Alvi said that these projects particularly 'one belt one road' will eliminate the land lock status of the region and help enhance regional connectivity and communication between Pakistan and China besides boosting bilateral cooperation in multiple sectors.

He said that the Chinese investment in Pakistan in the various sectors will multiply volume of trade and investment, usher new eras of prosperity and create employment opportunities. 

The President said that China is playing a very balanced and positive role for peace in the region. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan played the role of a Chinese envoy in the United Nations.

He said that as Pakistan is an agrarian country, agriculture is the backbone of the national economy, so, we can turn about our economy by promoting this sector.

He said that we should adopt modern techniques of agriculture, farming and cultivation and develop our agriculture, dairy and livestock sectors on modern lines so as to boost our per acre yield.

He said that if we quit old method and start application of scientific method of agriculture and livestock, we can earn lucrative foreign exchange by increasing our exports.

The President said that there is a dire need of soil testing for obtaining maximum agri output. He said that the second phase of Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement will be functional in December.

The President said that we are encountering a series environmental issue in the region.

He stressed upon the SAARC countries to make mutual endeavours for the solution of the major issue of global warming because the region of South Asia is badly affected by environmental pollution. Arif Alvi said that he met with the premier of Nepal in Baku, who expressed willingness to hold conference on global warming, however, he was worried about the possible Indian boycott of it.

He expressed regret that we are facing a belligerent neighbour which is at war with its own people.

He said that India has jeopardized the peace of the region by aggression, lack of inter-faith harmony and atrocities on its minorities.  He said that the minorities, above all Muslims, are being sequenced in India and they are facing persecution due to the extremist policies of the Modi-led regime.

The President underlined the need of timely information and modern technology in the agriculture because right decisions carry immense importance in the business of farming. He said that we are keen to utilize Chinese expertise in agriculture and agricultural production can be heightened with the use of robust quality seeds.

The President said that the confidence of traders and investors in the economic policies of the government has enhanced and economy is flourishing day by day.

He said that wave of terrorism has been eliminated in Pakistan.

He termed Pakistan as a land of opportunities and prospects for the commencement of entrepreneurship as its the sixth largest populated country of the world.

(Qasim/Abdul Rehman/Imran)