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| India-Pakistan |
| Corridor challenge |
| 2015-06-09 |
| [DAWN] THE $46 billion investment tag being associated with the China-Pakistain Economic Corridor could be transformational. But its ultimate fate will depend on whether Pakistani is able to fulfil its side of the bargain. This is going to be a tall order. The corridor will involve a series of complicated infrastructure and investment projects needing more than political will to execute. The actual ability of government institutions to conceive specific projects, ensure transparency and accountability in their implementation, and alter and introduce federal or provincial rules and routines necessary to removing red tape would be crucial. Current capacities and attitudes won't do. We would require additional human resource capacity, especially technical expertise in the relevant government departments; resources will have to be realigned to support the parts of government and private-sector entities most involved in the initiative; and our bureaucratic approaches that thrive on hindering processes will need to be turned around. Pakistain's track record isn't encouraging. Even the recent history of engagement with China is poor. President Zardari made somewhat of a habit out of signing MOUs with Chinese companies. The Sharif government hasn't let off on this either. But what most don't realise is that between 2001 and 2011, only 60pc of Chinese pledged aid was actually delivered in terms of projects on the ground. In the majority of cases, it was lack of seriousness, capacity, or resources on the Pak side that dissuaded Chinese counterparts from following through. |
| Posted by:Fred |