Arhama Siddiqa
Ms Arhama Siddiqa is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad.
DOI: http://DOI Number
Keywords: Oman, Pakistan, China, BRI, CPEC, food security
Abstract
Over the last few years, Gulf countries have been increasingly engaging with China primarily because the latter is fast emerging as the world’s leading economy. China’s rapid economic growth has necessitated an aggressive pursuit of much-needed natural resources. Beijing’s multi-billion Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) focuses on enhancing connectivity through both diplomatic and economic activity and thus is a conduit for consolidating trade and commercial relations between China and the countries in the Gulf. To a substantial degree, Chinese ventures in the Gulf focus on energy, infrastructure, construction, agriculture, and finance. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)—which is the flagship project of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)—has the potential to noticeably increase bilateral trade and investment between China and the Gulf countries. Due to the ongoing economic glut in both the Gulf countries and Pakistan, Chinese investments provide an ideal opportunity for helping revive the Covid-19 hit economies of both regions. Focusing specifically on Oman’s Vision 2040, a Middle Eastern country with which Pakistan needs to enhance its economic engagement, this paper gives a brief overview of Chinese investments in the Middle East and highlights opportunities for collaboration among Pakistan, China, and the Middle Eastern countries in terms of energy and food security.
First Published
June 25, 2021
How to Cite
Arhama Siddiqa, “Chinese Investments in the Middle East and Possible Opportunities for Pakistan: A Case Study of Oman,” Regional Studies 39, no.2 (Summer 2021): 43-57, https://regionalstudies.com.pk/wp/article/chinese-investments-in-the-middle-east-and-possible-opportunities-for-pakistan-a-case-study-of-oman/
Issue
Volume 39, Issue 2