CPEC’s Gwadar Port can provide hassle free shorter sea access to landlocked Central Asia States: CFTO

Islamabad: Coordinator Federal Tax Ombudsman (CFTO) Meher Kashif Younis has said that the Central Asia States were landlocked and Pakistan located at ideal location can provide hassle free shorter sea access to these countries through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’s Gwadar Port.

Speaking to a women entrepreneurs delegation led by Nida Ejaz, he maintained that Pakistan can also comfortably facilitate Shanghai Cooperation Orgnisation (SCO) member countries in providing regional connectivity which will promote trade among member countries and even beyond.

“Pakistan’s geo-strategic location ideal for connecting Central Asian countries via sea routes for better and effective regional economic integration besides boosting trilateral trade,” he added.

Meher Kashif Younis mentioned that SCO comprising 21 members with a mandate of enhancing economic cooperation, if fully geared can usher an era of prosperity, progress and development in every sphere of life in the region.

“The transport corridors and logistics infrastructure can benefit all member states leading to win-win cooperation,” he underlined.

He said SCO is multi-dimensional organisation in terms of its scope and functioning and Pakistan can reap fruits from it.

Meher Kashif Younis stressed the need for harnessing the potential of SCO under the leadership of China for sustained regional economic growth.

He opined that Pakistan as a trans-shipment and trade hub for SCO countries can play a constructive key role to further strengthening the organisation.

He underscored that the private sector of Pakistan is always ready to move forward the SCO’s development agenda aimed at accelerating the economic activities in the region.