Commerce Minister Highlights Pakistan’s Strategic Role in Regional Connectivity at Belt, Road Summit
Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan, addressing the 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, reaffirmed Pakistan’s strong commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and highlighted the country’s growing role as a regional hub for trade, investment, and connectivity.
Pakistan takes immense pride in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is transforming the country’s economic landscape through enhanced cooperation in infrastructure, energy, and industrialisation, said a release issued here on Thursday.
He noted that CPEC is positioning Pakistan as a major connectivity hub by linking landlocked Central Asia and Western China with warm-water ports and international markets. "Pakistan is emerging as a vital bridge between West, Central, and East Asia," Jam Kamal Khan said, emphasizing expanding rail and road links with China and transit-trade arrangements with neighboring Central Asian states.
These connections provide access to a vast regional market of approximately 1.5 billion people. Port reforms, digital customs systems, and modern logistics are reducing costs and transit times, strengthening Pakistan’s potential as an emerging transshipment hub.
The Minister stressed the importance of incorporating digital innovation, sustainability, and skilled employment into regional trade architecture to ensure inclusive and people-centered prosperity.
Highlighting Pakistan’s improving economic outlook, Jam Kamal Khan mentioned greater macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline, and improved credit ratings that had strengthened investor confidence. Increased investment in energy, infrastructure, mining, and industry reflected growing international trust in Pakistan’s economic potential.
He described Pakistan’s economic strategy as centered on export-led growth, industrial modernization, investment facilitation, and regulatory reforms, with an emphasis on value addition and deeper integration into global value chains.
"We are focused on developing traditional sectors such as textiles and agro-processing alongside knowledge-based manufacturing and services," the Minister said.
Jam Kamal Khan also highlighted Pakistan’s considerable agricultural potential, suggesting that climate-smart practices, modern seed technologies, and improved supply chains could strengthen food security and increase export earnings.
He invited international investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan’s mineral sector, including copper, coal, and other industrial and critical minerals, under transparent and investor-friendly frameworks.