China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is not a threat to British interests, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Christian Turner said in an interview with a select group of journalists, local media reported yesterday.
“I am always very clear about CPEC. I don’t regard it as a threat to British interests. If CPEC investments are done in the right way, it will benefit Pakistan as the country needs some restructuring investment. I think important infrastructure is good for business environment as long as investment is done in a way that benefits Pakistan,” he stated.
There must be good labour and environmental standards and there should be transfer of knowledge and skills, and projects should not add to debt, he contended.
The high commissioner maintained that deals are beneficial as they benefit Pakistan, China and even those partners like the UK who are interested to take part in some projects in Special Economic Zones (SEZ), adding that he was sure that UK’s companies will participate.
In reply to a question regarding his recent meeting with Pakistan Army Chief, Qamar Javed Bajwa, he said some conversations did touch on economic issues as they pertain to Afghanistan, including the opening of trade links across the border.
About the possibility of opening up the border with India, he said it is difficult to respond in a regional context but cited a World Bank study which suggests that trade across the border with India could unleash 30% growth in Pakistan’s GDP adding that a basic observation is that long-term prosperity and exclusive growth for Pakistan needs partnerships through regional connectivity.
The UK government supported Pakistan’s approach towards regional connectivity and Afghan peace negotiation process that is ultimately to deliver jobs for 220 million Pakistanis, he said, adding that Pakistan may create 3 million jobs in the region in a year.
“We need more exports in the region to create jobs. This only comes with peace and new opportunity that comes through regional connectivity,” he said adding, “we are certainly looking towards the West — to Afghanistan and central Asian countries.”
He said: “We should absolutely support regional economic connectivity that would drive job creation. Regional economic connectivity links back into peace and security”.
“As these relate to trade relationship, of course, GSP Plus mechanism is one to talk about. But companies themselves will be self-judging. So if you are looking to have a partnership with a British firm in Pakistan that was susceptible to child labour, then that would be incredibly damaging.
As Pakistan looks to drive more exports, irrespective of what my government says on these issues, the companies should be looking to give assurances that these issues are according to international standards,” he emphasised.
The high commissioner said he has confirmed that when Britain will leave the EU, which it plans to after December 31, GSP plus with EU will be simply rolled over and GSP will continue after the UK leaves Brexit as the scheme was approved when it was an EU member.
Responding to another question, he said “fundamentally, if you look at what Brexit will do, it will empower Britain to do some bilateral trade deals. We are confident that we can build on current level of 3 billion pound exports with Pakistan to take it to the next level.
Overall business here, it is already safe, we have natural ties due to people-to-people contact. Broadly speaking, it would not have any negative impact on bilateral trade between Pakistan and UK. I think it creates more opportunity for relations between the two countries.”
About the bilateral relationship, he said this was premised on people-to-people contacts. The UK and Pakistan has a long partnership mainly due to people-to-people contacts. So, Pakistan and the UK are a big market. “Therefore, air links matter much to us,” he added.
SATISFIED: UK High Commissioner Christian Turner.
