ISLAMBAD, DEC  22 (DNA)-A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Friday between the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), the China Centre for Special Economic Zone Research (CCSEZR) Shenzhen University, and the Belt and Road Research Institute for International Cooperation and Development (BRRIICD), Guangdong Province, China.

The signing of the MoUwill improve research and academic cooperation between the Institutes, as well as promote and intensify friendship and mutual understanding between the people of Pakistan and China in general and the Institutes in particular.

IPRI focuses on multidisciplinary research, promotes civil society-government interactions and policy dialogues on strategic and emerging issues as well as events of regional and international importance that have relevance to Pakistan’s national interest and policies,while CCSEZR assumes missions of academic exploration and collects historical documents to improve the historical record of SEZs development and Chinese reforms and opening-up.

Speaking on the occasion, Brig. (R) Tirmizi, SI(M) said: “This memorandum is a valid continuation of the relationship that CCSEZR and the IPRI established some time ago.

 It is an important step forward because we now have a structured framework to further promote our interaction and achieve our common goals through joint activities.”

He invited the Director of CCSEZR and BRRIICD, Prof. Tao Yitao to send scholars to IPRI which supports academic exchange programs between regional and international think tanks. According to Professor TaoYitao,the Memorandum will enable the institutes to deepen cooperation on issues of common interest and improve opportunities for exchange of ideas.

She shared that CCSEZR encourages overseas scholars to carry out academic research and encouraged scholars to share and publish their work with the Institute. “We explore patterns of development from general poverty to common prosperity. With influential studies on special

economic zones, the Institute’s work demonstrates the theoretical implications and realistic significance of China’s road,” she remarked.

As well as sharing expertise, both organizations hope to work together on the promotion and exchange of information and invitations to important meetings, symposia and conferences.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by IPRI scholars and members of the Chinese delegation including Mr William Yun, Executive Editor, Journal of Belt and Road Studies; Mr Colin Jeung, Secretary BRRIICD, and members of the Shanxi Construction Engineering Company, and media representatives.

Participants also discussed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and pointed out that while CPEC is presented primarily as an economic and developmental initiative with mutual benefits for the countries involved, it is also socially and culturally significant. It was agreed that trust and mutual respect is the key to collaboration.=DNA

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