Follow Us on Google News
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan today (Thursday) has asked the Economic Cooperation Organization’s (ECO) member states to tap the economic opportunities available in Pakistan.
In his address to the virtual 14th ECO Summit themed ‘Regional Economic Cooperation in the aftermath of COVID-19’, the Prime Minister said Pakistan can be the centre-point for economic development.
“We have rich resources, enterprising people and a human workforce, with a larger potential for future,” he said, emphasizing taking full advantage of geographical location, economic assets, and political relationships among ECO members for achieving the common goals and priorities.
While sharing Pakistan’s perspective on COVID-19 challenges, the premier presented his six-point plan for securing the common objectives of the ECO countries.
“First, we need to recover from the losses caused by the pandemic. We must use all local and internal resources for the purpose,” he added. Second, he said, “We must adopt a plan to build a resilient healthcare system to combat outbreaks in the future.”
The premier further said, “Third, there is a need to build an integrated network and transport system between the major economies in the world.”Fourth, the premier said, “We must implement all cross-border projects, especially the TAPI and other gas pipeline projects.”
Moreover, PM Imran said, “The nations must tap into mutual trade potential and increase it 10-fold,” Lastly, the PM said, “We must promote knowledge-based economies and enhance expenditure on research, development, and digitalisation.”
For the ECO itself, the premier suggested enhanced collaboration and growth, especially in the industrial sector. “We need to take advantage of political relationships and geographical locations,” he concluded.