ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Wednesday urged scientists and engineers to get ready for facing the challenges of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“The foremost responsibility of scientists and engineers shall be to strengthen their grip on science and technology with the help of which they may address the anticipated challenges to business, industries and new technology that will be introduced after the completion of CPEC,” said the president. He was addressing a seminar on ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Opportunities and Challenges’, jointly organised by the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and Institute of Engineers Pakistan (IEP).

The president said to reap maximum dividends from emerging business opportunities and possibilities, it is necessary that scientists, engineers and experts in different fields are available from within the country to assume the responsibilities in changing circumstances.

“After the completion of CPEC project, Pakistan and the region will connect to the world in a new way through ground, sea and air links which will bolster trade and business activities and usher in a new era of progress and prosperity,” he added.

Mr Mamnoon said CPEC is a framework of regional connectivity which will not only benefit Pakistan and China but the entire region, adding that this landmark project has the potential to realise the dream of shared goals, destiny, harmony and collective development through enhancement of geographical linkages.

“CPEC would not only enhance regional connectivity in terms of infrastructure development, it would also lead to economic integration of regional economies,” he said. The president stressed that NUST and IEP should ink agreements of mutual cooperation with relevant universities and professional institutions of China so that experts from both countries can find solution to CPEC issues and challenges.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Rana Tanveer Hussain, Ambassador of People’s Republic of China Sun Weidong, President IEP Dr Izhar ul Haq, and Rector NUST Lt-Gen Naveed Zaman also addressed the seminar.

Published in Dawn, March 30th, 2017