https://arab.news/vh4u9
- Nearly 10 countries expected to take part in Islamabad-hosted 鈥楻egional Connectivity Conference鈥� this week聽
- Agreements signed at conference would serve as 鈥渕ilestones鈥� for regional connectivity, says Pakistan minister
ISLAMABAD: Representatives from nearly 10 countries including 黑料社区, Iran, Maldives, Turkiye, Belarus and others will attend a Regional Connectivity Conference in Islamabad later this week, the Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Monday.
The conference is scheduled to be held in Pakistan鈥檚 capital from Oct. 23-24. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema chaired a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Monday to review preparations for the meeting.
Participants of the meeting also focused on strategies to enhance regional trade through improved connectivity, with a particular emphasis on boosting the capacity of regional trade corridors, the economic affairs ministry said in a statement.
鈥淩epresentatives from nearly 10 countries, including Turkiye, 黑料社区, Iran, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Belarus and others will participate in this conference,鈥� the statement said.
Cheema said Pakistan was proud that this conference will be held in Islamabad for the first time, with 鈥渉igh officials from important countries鈥� in attendance.
During the meeting, officials from several ministries provided detailed briefings to participants on regional connectivity initiatives, outlining measures to strengthen trade corridors and improve infrastructure for regional trade.
Cheema emphasized that Pakistan is committed to enhancing regional connectivity through both rail and road networks.
鈥淗e expressed optimism that important Memorandums of Understanding would be signed at the upcoming Regional Connectivity Conference, which would serve as milestones for regional connectivity and economic integration,鈥� the statement added.
Pakistan鈥檚 foreign policy has already undergone a major shift from geopolitics to geo-economics in recent years, with the country striving for greater regional connectivity to promote trade and people-to-people contacts.
It has signed MoUs with Central Asian Republics and other regional allies to promote air, road and sea trade. Pakistan鈥檚 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has repeatedly said Islamabad now seeks 鈥渕utually beneficial partnerships鈥� with allies rather than loans.