President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Nasir Mansoor Qureshi has said that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit carries strong potential for creating investment opportunities in the country, which will strengthen Pakistan’s economy. The event offers Pakistan an opportunity to strengthen its trade and economic ties with key international partners, particularly China. It sends a clear message to global investors about the country’s openness to business and investment opportunities. In a message here on Wednesday he said that the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the SCO summit could be the real game-changers for the national economy as we have geographical contiguities, economic complementarities, regional trade advantages and ability to look East and diversify our economic partners.

It offers a platform where Pakistan can work with neighbouring countries, including China, Russia, and the Central Asian states, to promote stability and prevent the spread of terrorism and radicalization. He added that this important summit will certainly enhance regional trade and reduce poverty through collaborative projects in agriculture, vocational training, and infrastructure development. Special attention is needed for climate change, with new frameworks for regional cooperation on carbon trading and the promotion of low-carbon technologies while addressing regional security concerns, including Afghanistan and the Kashmir conflict. Nasir Qureshi said that Pakistan’s dire economic situation, marked by rising inflation, dwindling foreign reserves, and sluggish growth, presents an urgent need for new economic partnerships.

This is where the SCO’s economic dimension comes into play. By deepening its ties with member states, Pakistan stands to benefit from regional markets, infrastructure investments, and increased trade flows, particularly through China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Islamabad has to make the case for increased regional cooperation on economic and security issues, highlight the need for regional stability, and showcase Pakistan as a responsible stakeholder in South Asia. These new economic partnerships could be critical for pulling Pakistan out of its current crisis. In this way, economic cooperation is deeply tied to Pakistan’s broader geopolitical goals, as stronger economic ties will reinforce the country’s strategic importance in the region.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan