Tashkent (Web Desk): Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has stressed the need for enhancing connectivity among the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries through building rail, road, sea and air links for realization of the shared vision.
Addressing the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Tashkent, he said within the SCO space, shared goals for shared prosperity should be our guiding principle.
The foreign minister said growth and prosperity of SCO region is also dependent on critical drivers such as e-commerce, digitalization of businesses, innovation, and security of international supply chains.
"Pakistan is actively working on the Trans-Afghan Railway project with Uzbekistan and Afghanistan," he said.
FM Bilawal said that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), already served as a pivotal platform to help promote connectivity and regional prosperity.
He announced that Pakistan would also be hosting a virtual Conference on "Transport Connectivity for Regional Prosperity" later this year.
Bilawal said that Pakistan is endeavoring to build the foundation for a strong e-commerce ecosystem,"
"This includes a sound regulatory environment, financial inclusion, and digitization through payment infrastructure," he said.
FM Bilawal said the government’s policy was focused on empowering youth, women and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to benefit from digitalization and to provide economic opportunities to over 130 million youth in Pakistan.
He said towards this objective, Pakistan would be hosting the conference on 'Youth Empowerment through Digital Economy' later this year.
"Ensuring food security in the face of severe climatic changes as well as volatility caused by conflicts is of critical importance for us all," the foreign minister said.
FM Bilawal mentioned that recent proposals to train farmers; exchange of technology and exhibitions were important initiatives to strengthen the capacity of our growers and farmers.