The real beauty in BRI is the spirit of sharing. China shares its success with developing countries,” emphasized Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, minister for planning, development and special initiatives, during the ongoing Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2023.

The Belt and Road Initiative welcomes everyone to jointly explore opportunities for shared growth, providing developing countries with the most critical investment to fill in gaps in the economy, said the Minister, according to a report carried by Gwadar Pro on Wednesday.

“For example, when Pakistan was only able to provide electricity for 16-18 hours a day, China-under the BRI-allowed its companies to invest in the energy sector when no other foreign investors were coming”.

“Over the years, China has actively shared its own successful development concepts, models, roads and plans, providing a broad cooperation platform for developing countries and helping promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind,” Ahsan Iqbal noted.

As for the future, Ahsan Iqbal believes that the world is going through the process of Industry 4.0 and digitalization. If digitalization is not caught up, the gap between rich and poor will widen. 

The high-tech companies and communication companies in BRI have boosted Pakistan's digital development, enabling technology to enhance education and facilitate life. Projects like this could provide lessons for other regions as they catch up on the digital wave.

Among 100 people, 94 people can connect physically, but only 54 can connect to the Internet.

Ahsan Iqbal hopes that BRI will help Pakistan introduce more high-tech and communication companies, “to provide more people with possibility to gain digital connectivity.”

The Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2023, held from March 28-31 in Boao, Hainan, is under the theme An Uncertain World: Solidarity and Cooperation for Development amid Challenges.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-INP