Pakistan to maintain 6pc growth rate: PM

BEIJING: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, while speaking at Boao Forum in China on Monday, said that Pakistan will maintain 6 percent growth rate this year.

PM Abbasi said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the most visible part of One Belt and One Road Initiative and would give benefit to both countries. "Pakistan's adoption of yuan as the reserve currency would be very beneficial for bilateral trade. It will help yuan to become an international currency," he said.

He said the China Pakistan Economic Corridor would promote connectivity in Asia. "Pakistan aspires to see growth in the region and is very optimistic about One Belt and One Road Initiative, and is sure that it will benefit the region and the world," the premier said.

He said that Pakistan has built 1,700 miles of multi-lane motorways and set up special economic zones, adding that the Gwadar port is providing access to the sea to Central Asian States. "Pakistan does not believe in protectionism. Opening and liberalisation is the way forward," he said.