Pakistan invites BRI partners for CPEC Phase II

Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), urging partner countries to explore new investment opportunities under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Addressing the 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, Jam Kamal said CPEC was playing a key role in reshaping Pakistan’s economic landscape by promoting development in infrastructure, energy and industrial sectors.

He said Pakistan was increasingly emerging as an important regional connectivity hub, linking Western China and landlocked Central Asian countries with warm-water ports and international markets.

According to the minister, expanding road and rail networks with China, along with transit trade arrangements with Central Asian states, could connect Pakistan to a regional market of nearly 1.5 billion people.

He also highlighted reforms at Pakistani ports, digital customs systems and improvements in logistics, saying these measures were helping reduce trade costs and transit times while strengthening the country’s potential as a transhipment hub.

Jam Kamal said regional economic cooperation was moving beyond traditional transport corridors towards integrated value chains. He stressed the need to incorporate digital technology, sustainability and skilled employment into regional trade initiatives.

Discussing Pakistan’s economic outlook, the minister said improved macroeconomic stability, fiscal discipline and better credit ratings had helped boost investor confidence. He added that renewed investment in energy, infrastructure, mining and industry reflected growing international interest in Pakistan.

He said the government’s economic strategy focused on export-led growth, industrial modernisation, investment facilitation and regulatory reforms. Greater value addition and integration with global supply chains were also key priorities.

The minister pointed to opportunities in textiles, agro-processing, knowledge-based manufacturing and services. He also highlighted Pakistan’s agricultural potential, saying modern seeds, climate-smart farming and stronger supply chains could improve food security while boosting exports.

Inviting foreign investors to Pakistan’s mineral sector, Jam Kamal mentioned copper, coal and other industrial and critical minerals as areas with significant potential under transparent and investor-friendly policies.

He described Pakistan’s young population as a major source of human capital and said overseas Pakistanis, whose annual remittances are around $40 billion, demonstrated the skills and resilience of the country’s workforce.

The minister particularly invited BRI partners to participate in CPEC Phase II projects involving industrialisation, agriculture, mining, energy, technology and export-oriented manufacturing.

He also identified tourism as another promising area, highlighting Pakistan’s religious, cultural and natural attractions and the potential for investment in the hospitality sector.

Addressing emerging global challenges, Jam Kamal said artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and climate-related food insecurity required greater international cooperation. He said Pakistan was working to modernise its digital infrastructure while expanding climate-smart agriculture, green industries and renewable energy.

He called for stronger cooperation with BRI partners, including Hong Kong, in climate adaptation, technological resilience and sustainable development.

The minister further stressed the importance of people-to-people ties, student exchanges and cultural engagement in strengthening long-term partnerships. He welcomed Hong Kong’s initiative to provide around 150 Belt and Road scholarships to students from partner countries.

Jam Kamal also praised Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee for promoting economic engagement with Central and South Asia and invited him to visit Pakistan.