Islamabad: France has expressed its support for the Belt and Road Initiative and is interested to become one of the investment partners for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), reported a news source. This was revealed by the French Ambassador to Pakistan Marc Barety during his meeting with Senate Standing Committee on Defence Chairman Lt. General (R) Abdul Qayyum.
Reportedly, France was previously looking to be part of an alliance formed by America, Japan, India and Australia to launch a similar initiative to reduce China’s influence in the region. Now, France is looking to invest in the project on guarantee of ensuring transparency. France will also be attending Asian Parliamentary Association meeting, which is to be held in Gwadar soon.
Barety also expressed interest in holding cultural programmes in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. Furthermore, he also said that 40 French companies are running their business in Pakistan while the bilateral trade between the two countries amounts to EUR 1.4 billion.
