KABUL - President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday termed growing economic relations between Asian countries as ‘a positive sign’ and said the most populated continent would soon become a highly important region economically.
The Afghan leader, who arrived on a two-day visit to Tajikistan, said an economically stronger Asia needed to be regulated by common principles that could ensure the future of the region.
Ghani expressed these views in his address at Tajikistan National University, a statement from the Presidential Palace said.
For this purpose, Ghani said a common agenda was needed and should be worked out by economists, sociologists, politicians and other educated people of the region and enforced through universities and academies.
“Greater economic cooperation exists among regional countries and there are unlimited economic opportunities. A lack of political maturity has resulted in a lack of coordination,” the statement quoted the president as saying.
Referring to the Silk Road, the president said in the past the corridor was a source of knowledge among people about trade and market.
He said the region needed economic cooperation as Central Asia was a big exporter of energy while South Asia was in dire need of energy.
He said Central Asian South Asia (CASA-1000) would be practically launched in a couple of days and peoples of these countries would see the project being implemented.
The president urged a more common vision and closer cooperation for regional connectivity and economic integration. (Pajhwok)