Ayesha Saba

Experts have stressed the need for Pakistan to learn from China’s development strategies while considering its own socioeconomic realities to harness the full benefits of the strategic partnership under the CPEC’s Phase-II, which emphasises strengthening cooperation in industry, agriculture and technology sectors.

Talking to WealthPK, Liaqat Ali Shah, Executive Director and Head of Policy Division at the CPEC Centre of Excellence, noted that Pakistan’s private sector plays a substantial role in economic growth. “Therefore, successful implementation of CPEC’s Phase-II requires policies that encourage private sector participation, incentivise local businesses, and integrate small and medium enterprises into the evolving economic landscape.”

Shah suggested that while Pakistan can learn from China’s success, it must first address its own structural inefficiencies, including low productivity, energy shortages, and limited value addition in exports. He argued that Pakistan should leverage CPEC-driven Special Economic Zones to enhance industrial productivity while ensuring that local enterprises are not overshadowed by large foreign firms.

Muzammil Hussain, a scientific officer at National Agricultural Research Centre, pointed out that China’s agricultural success is rooted in technological advancements and rural industrialisation. While Pakistan can benefit from Chinese expertise, he stressed the importance of addressing local challenges, such as fragmented landholdings, outdated farming techniques, and water management issues.

He advocated for policies that facilitate technology transfer, improve rural infrastructure, and provide targeted subsidies to small-scale farmers to enhance productivity and ensure food security. Furthermore, Hussain underscored the need for workforce development to maximise CPEC’s potential benefits.

“Unlike China, which invests heavily in technical and vocational training, Pakistan’s labour market faces a significant skills gap.” He urged the government to align technical and vocational education with industry requirements, ensuring that the workforce is equipped with skills relevant to emerging industries in CPEC-related projects.

In addition, Hussain recommended adopting a balanced approach by prioritising projects with high economic returns, attracting foreign direct investment, and strengthening public-private partnerships to share financial burdens effectively. “By adapting China’s development strategies to its own socio-economic realities, Pakistan can harness the full benefits of this strategic partnership, and ensure long-term economic sustainability,” he underscored.

Credit: INP-WealthPk