Webinar Series: China Pakistan Economic Corridor Phase II: Strategies and Synergies in Agriculture Cooperation.

Organized by: Centre for BRI and China Studies-Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies and Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Riphah International University.

Speakers: The webinar had four key speakers including Dr. Gu Wenliang, Agriculture Commissioner at the Embassy of China to Pakistan, Hassan Daud Butt, The CEO KP-Board of Investment and Trade, Mr. Dai-Bao Vice G.M. CMEC Pakistan office and Professor Dr.Sajid Khursheed, Faculty Member at Tsinghua University and Department Head of Canadian International School of Beijing,

Ms. Farhat Asif, President IPDS and Dr. Rashid Aftab, Director, Riphah Institute of Public Policy, Riphah International University. Ms. Farhat Asif, President Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies said that Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan and currently going through al kind of challenges. As a result of the CPEC, agriculture sector has gained much needed booast to the village farmers to have their products reach to the national, regional and international markets.

Dr. Rashid Aftab, Director, Riphah Institute of Public Policy said the government has already established corporations under CEPC in 2019 by the name of the Pak-China Agriculture forum. This discussion aims to revitalize the whole agriculture system in Pakistan. He stated that Agriculture is the main source of employment in Pakistan and we need to look forward to the opportunities CEPC has to provide in Pakistan. We have to develop our products considering the Chinese experience he added. He then mentioned the challenges that agriculture is facing currently in Pakistan. Some of the challenges he mentioned were high tariff, pre- and post-harvest challenges, exports remain low and outdated techniques of harvest.

Mr. Dai Bao, Vice G.M. CMEC Pakistan office: Mr. Dai Bao explained about his company, vision and mission.. He stated that the company has been investing in research in Pakistan. In his presentation on the New Era China Pakistan Agriculture Programme, he has shared the details of the project. First, Dai Bao said that improving the living standards and the economy is key for the Pakistan government and for economic prosperity Pakistan needs to switch from traditional agriculture to a modern agricultural system. He shared a chart of the Food Security Risk factor and mentioned that Pakistan has a very high food security risk problem linking it to the food crisis problem due to the pandemic of COVID-19. He then discussed the possibilities for...