Ahsan Iqbal urges CAREC states to link with Pakistan’s SEZs

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has invited member countries of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) to integrate their value chains with Pakistan’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

He urged them to explore industrial cluster opportunities by leveraging Pakistan’s trade agreements with China, ASEAN, and Middle East countries.

He made the call while addressing the fifth annual CAREC Institute Research Conference, co-hosted by the University of Sargodha and several regional and international organizations. The event focused on enhancing trade and connectivity in the region.

Iqbal stressed the urgent need to improve intra-regional trade, which currently stands at only seven per cent among CAREC countries (excluding China), compared to over 22 per cent within ASEAN. He attributed this gap not to geography, but to poor logistics, regulatory fragmentation, and lack of coordination.

The minister highlighted Pakistan’s “URAAN” vision based on five pillars: exports, equity, e-Pakistan, environment, and energy. He noted progress in IT exports, digital transformation, and solar energy investments. Under the Special Investment Facilitation Council, 10 GW of solar projects are in the pipeline.

He also underscored Pakistan’s strategic location, positioning it as a hub connecting Central Asia to global markets through Gwadar and Karachi ports. He said the Pakistan Single Window had slashed customs clearance times and would soon integrate with regional trade routes.

Calling for digital and energy connectivity, Iqbal proposed a CAREC Green Energy Corridor and a CAREC Digital Trade Corridor to promote seamless, paperless trade and clean energy exchange.

Iqbal concluded by reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to CAREC goals, saying, “Let us connect not only markets but dreams, and move boldly towards shared prosperity.”