PCJCCI for promotion of cultural ties with Asia-Pacific region

LAHORE: Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Shah Faisal Afridi has urged the government of Pakistan to take a lead in developing an "information silk road" for having maximum benefits out of the economic corridor to be constructed by China in the AsiaPacific region.

In a press statement issued here today, he said that roads and railways are easy enough to build, but it is hard to cultivate mental harmony among people that holds more importance in regional connectivity. Information has become a core resource and is crucial to international cooperation.

"The next leap for regional connectivity is to create AsiaPacific Information Superhighway", he said adding that the infrastructure development was progressing steadily for the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, but parallel with a communication and infrastructure network connecting Asia, Europe, and Africa, there was dire need of breaking the barriers of information among the connecting nations.

Faisal Afridi further elaborated that People-to-people bond provides the public support for implementing the strategic Initiatives. "We should carry forward the spirit of friendly cooperation of the Silk Road by promoting extensive cultural and academic exchanges, personnel exchanges and cooperation among media, youth and volunteers so as to win public support for deepening bilateral and multilateral harmony, he said.