CPEC Industrial Zones and China-Pakistan Capacity Cooperation

Abstract

With the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor brought onto the fast track of construction and major political hurdles eliminated, we are expecting to see it progress to the stage where dozens of Special Economic Zones or Industrial Zones are to be established along the corridor. At the same time, China is championing a new concept of economic cooperation - International Capacity Cooperation - spearheaded by Premier Li Keqiang himself. This chronological coincidence is a big opportunity for Pakistan in its effort to uplift the economic performance and national image. Yet, there are some lurking challenges that we have to deal with in a pre-emptive manner to ensure the smoothness of this mutually benefitting cooperation.