Pakistan says CPEC will benefit Sri Lanka

Pakistan says?China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will?have a positive impact on Sri Lanka as well as Iran, Afghanistan, India, Central Asian Republics, and the region.

The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat delivered a lecture on ?China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC): A New Vision for Regional and Global Connectivity and Economic Cooperation? at an event on the invitation extended by the Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers (ARFRO), Sri Lanka, held at the Naval Headquarters, the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo said today.

The event was attended by?Commander of Sri Lanka Army, Lt. Gen. N.U.M.M.W. Senanayake,?Commander of Sri Lanka Navy,?Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe, students of Defence Command and Staff College and KDU, senior retired officers of Sri Lankan Armed Forces and officials of the High Commission of Pakistan.

The High Commissioner, highlighting the various aspects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, said that?the Corridor is a framework of regional connectivity and will not only benefit China and Pakistan but will have a positive impact on Iran, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, India, Central Asian Republics, and the region.

He underscored that the CPEC will act as a catalyst for connecting China and South Asia to Central Asia, Eurasia, West Asia and vice versa along with Pakistan?s enhanced connectivity with many countries in various regions for economic progress. Ultimately, Pakistan will become a trading hub for the region as well as for extra regional trade and transit, he added.

Dr. Shahid Hashmat said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project is a flagship venture of China?s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which aims?to accelerate economic growth across the?world.

On Sri Lanka-Pakistan relations, the High Commissioner said that both countries are linked by strong bonds of culture and history and enjoy very stable relations. (Colombo Gazette)