China, Pakistan to create e-corridor to supplement CPEC project

ISLAMABAD: Keeping in view importance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in establishing greater connectivity in the region Pakistan and China agreed to enable development of a range of initiatives in ICT sphere to create an e corridor to supplement the CPEC.

In this regard a high level Chinese delegation led by Chairman China Investment Promotion Center Yan Lijin recently called on Minister of State for Information Technology Ms Anusha Rahman. The delegation discussed collaboration between Pakistani and Chinese public and corporate sectors in areas of innovation, IT parks, electronic payments and other ICT services and infrastructure of mutual interest.

On a Chinese proposal of enabling public private-partnership and joint venture investment mechanism fully participated by Chinese IT and innovation outfits, the minister assured the delegation any proposals would be thoroughly and quickly analysed to ensure full transparency and conformity to Pakistani legal system.

The delegates were apprised that Pakistan's IT and Telecom sector has a lot of potential and now we have to explore ways to reap this possible mutual dividend from tech sectors in an optimal way.

The Ministry of IT and PSEB will ensure collaboration with Chinese counterparts for synchronised efforts on all areas relating to ICT infrastructure and particularly technology park development.

The ministry is already collaborating with Ministry of Commerce for development of e commerce gateway framework so that online commercial ventures could flourish further and consumers and companies could get more confidence in online payment systems.

The delegation was assured that any Chinese player wanting to invest in establishment of Internet Payment systems and e commerce gateways will receive full facilitation being a core component of e commerce value chain.