BEIJING, Aug 8: China hoped that Pakistan would be an active member of Boao Economic Forum for Asia for promoting common business and trade objectives.

“We attach great importance to Pakistan’s role for strengthening the bonds of economic partnership at the regional level,” said a senior Chinese official and spokesman for the Boao forum while talking to APP in Beijing on Friday.

The forum has invited President Pervez Musharraf to address the annual conference in Boao, Hainan province, as a key speaker. The conference is scheduled to take place on Nov 2. It would be attended by around 700 prominent world leaders and economic experts.

The spokesman said that President Musharraf’s participation in the conference would be of great significance. It would reflect Pakistan’s prominent position in the region, he added.

The conference’s theme will be “Asia searching for win-win scenario, development through cooperation.”

Under this theme the speakers at a plenary session will focus on topics such as economic situation in Asia, Asian free trade arrangements and Asian Regional Economic Cooperation.

Following the plenary session, there will be concurrent sessions discussing issues of major concern to the business community, such as Digital Asia, Asia Finance Cooperation, Human Resources Development, the Pharmaceutical Industry, and Restructuring of the Asian Economy.

The spokesman said the conference would review the economic and social challenges facing Asia in the light of recent political and socio-economic developments.

He said the participants at the first Boao conference held last year recognized the importance of developing Asian perspectives on emerging issues and challenges facing Asia. They also recognized the need for sustained efforts to promote greater interdependence and economic integration of the region.

The participants, he added, were also convinced that through dialogue, coordination and cooperation amongst the countries of Asia, new Asian perspectives would emerge to cement and deepen economic ties, enhance trade and investment within the region and the world at large.

Boao forum is working as a non-governmental organization to promote free trade and economic cooperation among the Asian countries. It was established under the laws of the People’s Republic of China and permanently located at the Boao city.

The sources hoped it would become the premier forum, promoting the development goals of Asian countries through greater regional economic integration. It will also strive to achieve the idea of developing the region as free trade economic zone.—APP