Lahore, 16 Oct 2023: Moazzam Ghurki, President of the Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI), has championed the adoption of an Urban-Rural Coordinated Development approach, similar to the Chinese model. The proposal emphasizes promoting equitable growth for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan's rural sectors in tandem with urban business hubs. This perspective was presented during a think-tank meeting held at the PCJCCI Secretariat.

Ghurki pointed out how China has boosted the prosperity of its rural regions through synchronized urban and rural advancements. Drawing from local examples, he mentioned the "Aik Hunar, Aik Nagar" (AHAN) project, initiated by SMEDA. This project bridged rural handicrafts with fashion designers to elevate the value of handmade rural products. The venture garnered significant success, enabling many of these handicrafts to break into both the export and domestic markets. However, Ghurki expressed regret over the current government's apparent lack of continued support for the initiative.

Senior Vice President of PCJCCI, Fang Yulong, shared insights on the Chinese approach, emphasizing that shared prosperity is pivotal to socialism and is a hallmark of Chinese-style modernization. Yulong elaborated on measures undertaken in China, such as elevating farmers' prosperity, sustaining achievements in poverty alleviation, and reinforcing rural revitalization.

Hamza Khalid, Vice President, and Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General of PCJCCI, also weighed in on the conversation. They accentuated that a nation's economic development should remain at the forefront of governmental priorities. Achieving this, they believe, necessitates nurturing SMEs in rural settings, mirroring the growth seen in urban business centers. As a reference, they highlighted the transformative outcomes witnessed in the village Pushan, located in China's eastern province of Zegiang, where rural incomes surged remarkably within a span of two years.