Both China and Pakistan have focused on supporting Gwadar as well as their own growth. In 2003, the then, Chinese President, Hu Jintao, described the country’s “Good Neighbour Policy”. It was part of a new strategy of peaceful development explaining how China was seeking to promote interdependent relationships rather than competitive one.
Regional connectivity is also one of the most important aspects of Pakistan foreign policy, and like China, it has also been trying to build stronger relationships with its neighbouring countries. Pakistan’s GDP grew by 5.8% between 2017 and 2018, and this is the fifth straight year that it has grown.
Financially, production and labour costs are lower in Pakistan, so it offers a higher yield for investors. It’s stock exchange has actually been performing better than India’s in recent years – overall, stocks are up, growth is rising and poverty is falling.
At CPIC, we have the option to be part of this development opportunity and be there when Gwadar develops into the renowned international trade port that it has started to become. We also believe that it’s better to be part of this partnership and development rather than to sit on the side-lines.