Questionnaires to ask in Islamabad:

SMEs:
 How effective have the established SEZs under CPEC Phase 1 been in fostering SME growth and
integrating them into global value chains, particularly in sectors like textiles, agro-based
industries, and mining? What specific challenges have been encountered in achieving these
goals?

 Given the ambitious targets for SME participation in CPEC-related projects, such as increased
access to credit and technology transfer, what lessons can be drawn from the Rashakai SEZ's
development and performance in enabling such objectives?

 How has the allocation of resources and policy frameworks, such as the Federal PSDP,
contributed to bridging the gap between SME capabilities and the requirements for operating
within SEZs? Are there any measurable outcomes from these investments in CPEC Phase 1?

 Considering China's relocation of traditional industries to countries like Pakistan, what steps are
being taken to ensure that Pakistani SMEs are equipped to absorb these opportunities, particularly
in terms of skill development, technology adaptation, and financial access?

 What mechanisms have been established under CPEC to integrate startups into the development
of SEZs, and how are these initiatives fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology-
driven solutions to enhance SME competitiveness in global markets?

 How is development of SMEs linked with of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and it’s
impact on Pakistan's GDP growth?

 What are the challenges faced by SMEs in Pakistan in accessing finance and technology?

 What is the potential for growth and development in Pakistan's textile and apparel
manufacturing sector under CPEC?

 How can Pakistan's agriculture sector benefit from CPEC, particularly in terms of
technology transfer and market access?

 How effective are loan schemes and training programs in promoting entrepreneurship and
job creation among youth in Pakistan?
  How can CPEC facilitate the creation of job opportunities for youth in Pakistan,
particularly in the context of SEZs and SMEs?

Agriculture:
 How can we further capitalize on Pakistan’s $4.26/kg frozen bovine meat export price
compared to Brazil’s $5.40/kg?
 What measures can increase guava exports to meet China's demand of 500,000 tons?
 What initiatives are planned to establish modern laboratories for quality testing and
certification?
 How are we addressing post-harvest losses through cold storage and logistics
improvements?
 What is being done to promote public-private partnerships with Chinese companies in
agriculture?
 What steps are being taken to simplify export procedures and reduce trade
bottlenecks?
 How is the government supporting farmers to transition from subsistence to
commercial agriculture?

Knowledge Corridors
 What challenges national science and technology park (NSTP) faces in its course to
become Pakistan's most technologically advanced R&D and innovation centre?
 Are there tangible results of National Strategic Programme for Acquisition of Industrial
Technology (NSPAIT)?
 What mechanisms are in place to ensure effective implementation of the funding program
for Pakistani and Chinese students, including fee waivers, accommodation, and living
allowances, and how can challenges such as equitable access be addressed?
 How initiatives like vocational training institutes and incubation centers under CPEC can
ensure that what is taught or researched in academic settings (knowledge) translates into
practical, real-world applications (innovation)
 Progress and status of the CPEC Consortium of Universities and how its potential can be
fully realized
 Areas of priority in joint research projects and academic collaboration, and the areas
neglected
 What are the existing challenges in China-Pakistan collaborations in cultural and
language initiatives?
  How can the collaborations in cultural and language initiatives be expeditiously pursued
at the higher education level?
 How can Pakistan make the best use of CPEC in the development of its IT industry?
 What policy measures can facilitate the smooth and vibrant development of China-
Pakistan digital corridor?
 What are the structural challenges Pakistan has faced in setting up knowledge corridors?
 What makes our situation different from India, which has set up knowledge parks in
various sectors such as IT, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals?
 How can Pakistan benefit from China’s tech advancement and set up tech parks such as
Zhongguancun Tech Park?
 The unique benefits Pakistan can get from CPEC in information communication
technology
 How can the collaborations in higher education be increased through scholarships,
cultural exchanges and other activities?
 Training and upgrading of Pakistan’s labor force and collaborations in vocational
training via CPEC
 How the development of knowledge corridor can benefit Pakistan’s economy?
 The reasons for delays in the sharing of knowledge and tech transfers and how the
shortcomings in either design or implementation be improved in Phase II
 What is the status of knowledge and information transfers during Phase I?
 Which areas were targeted during Phase I?
 What are the dividends Pakistan reaped from these transfers?

Human Security:
 Balochistan is lacking political security. This aspect of human security is a pre-requisite
to a successful CPEC. How can good governance and local leadership contribute to the
success of CPEC?

 The absence of personal security is a threat to CPEC. How to avert it

 Economic security is an obstacle but it can be addressed if the policies are people-
centric. Delay in restoring the economic security will augment the actions of insurgents.
Why aren't we making a people-centric economic security?

 Human security revolves around the concept of protection and empowerment according
to the UN. However, people of Balochistan have neither the freedom of fear nor freedom
of want. This is the major reason for resentment of the people. Is it really being
addressed?
 How are the long-term economic benefits of CPEC being distributed across different
regions and social groups in Pakistan?
 How has the development of CPEC impacted the livelihoods of local communities along
the route?
 How does the influx of foreign labour and the implementation of large-scale projects
under CPEC affect the social and cultural fabric of local communities?

 How are issues of governance, corruption, and accountability being addressed in the
management of CPEC projects to ensure they don’t undermine human security?

 What are the potential environmental consequences of CPEC projects, and how might
they affect the health and well-being of surrounding populations?