KABUL: The government of Afghanistan welcomes the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) not only for its country, but as a useful project for the regional economy.
“Any project formed in the region for the bigger economic interest, is welcomed by Afghanistan and we fully support it. We believe that such projects would facilitate trade, transit, services and energy in the region,” SohrabBahman, spokesman of the ministry of economy said Monday.
Pakistani news outlets have recently reported of joining of Afghanistan and Iran the CPEC, quoting Chinese ambassador to Islamabad as saying that Kabul would join the project in the near future. The reports have suggested that not only Pakistan and China, but all the regional states would get benefit from the project.
The CPEC begins in China and ends in the Gwadar Port after crossing Pakistani soil. Ministry of Economy says that Afghanistan was bordering Pakistan in several points and could join the CPEC via Chaman, Gholam Khan and Torkahm areas.
Economic experts say the CPEC would put positive impacts on the economic situation of the country, asking the government not to lose the opportunity of joining the project.
“This is good that Afghanistan is joining the CPEC project and its impacts will increase. We need to support economic projects through which, security situation is going to improve and people in Afghanistan, Pakistan and China will get benefit,” said economic expert, Sayed QeyasSaeedi.
He suggested the government should consult with its allies prior to joining the project because China is a giant rival of the United States who is Kabul’s great ally and Pakistan did not have good will regarding Afghanistan.