LAHORE: More and more awareness sessions on CPEC should be conducted to make the people aware of the actual potential. Small and Medium Entrepreneurs seems nowhere in the mega CPEC structure besides big economic zones under CPEC are being set up which have nothing to with SMEs as they do not have sufficient funds to invest.
These views were expressed by the speakers at the awareness seminar on CPEC organized by the Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI) here Friday.
Founder President WCCI Lahore Division Dr Shehla speaking on the occasion said that every Chinese is being given free hand to work in every sector while the local stakeholders have been facing barriers in executing their businesses.
She said that the government needs to make all aspects of the CPEC transparent and crystal clear so that more and more local entrepreneurs can get benefits from the much hyped CPEC.
WCCI President said that Falahat Imran said that as a nation we should be optimistic about the CPEC but the ground reality is that the people are confused about the project often seem to be questioning about it as to what they have for them and what they need to added and contribute to the mega project.
She said that more and more awareness sessions on CPEC should be conducted to make the people aware of the actual potential of the CPEC.
Vice President Anila Salim said that the small and the medium business people seems nowhere in the mega CPEC besides the big economic zones have nothing to do with CPEC as we do not have sufficient funds.
While various questions of the participants, Punjab Secretary Industries Dr Mujtuba Paracha said that the Chinese investors have committed that they will avail the services of the local labor from and they would only hire Chinese skilled labor from China.
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Tahir Javaid Malik, Hassan Khawar, policy expert, LUMS’s Hadia Majid, trader Faisal Mehmood, SVP Faaiza Amjad also spoke on the occasion.