SANYA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday urged the Asian countries to wage coordinated efforts for realization of the goal of economic prosperity.
In his keynote address at the Boao conference in China’s Hainan province on Thursday, he said that top priority should be given to the resolution of disputes as peace is a prerequisite to economic development.
The prime minister said that the Asian countries should particularly focus on regional connectivity to strengthen mutual contacts through road, sea, and train links.
Sharif particularly appreciated China’s economic revival and growth in the last several years. He said that Pakistan-China Economic Corridor will open new avenues for the development in the region.
In addition, he said that the Asian countries should take effective steps to tap the energies of their youth.
The Pakistani premier said that his government has started the Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loans programme in the country and announced scholarships for youth to integrate them into the national economic mainstream.
Nawaz Sharif said that the government is also concentrating on overcoming the energy shortfall to ensure its economic development.
The prime minister said that Pakistan has emerged from the lengthy war on terror, which has negatively affected its economy, trade and industry.
The Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang in his speech while inaugurating the Boao conference called for strengthening of cooperation among the Asian countries.
Keqiang said that development remains the top priority of the Asian countries. He emphasized the need for shared interest and common development of the regional countries.
Li Keqiang said Boao Forum is significant for the economic development of Asia.
The Pakistani prime minister would join other world leader including the Prime Ministers of Australia, South Korea and Kazakhstan, at a banquet to be hosted by the Chinese Premier.
The prime minister would also address a seminar on “Reviving the Silk Road”. It would be attended by the leaders of China, Iran and Kazakhstan. He would hold a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang on the sideline of the conference.
The two leaders would review the progress in bilateral ties with particular focus on economic cooperation and Pakistan-China Economic Corridor.
