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LAHORE, Nov 16 (APP): SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry former President Iftikhar Ali Malik has underscored the urgent need for deeper regional cooperation and innovation to establish integrated capital markets capable of mobilising investment, enhancing economic resilience, and fostering sustainable growth across Asia.
In a statement issued here on Sunday, he said that in an era of rapid geopolitical and economic transformation, regional economies could no longer afford to operate in isolation. He urged SAARC member states to focus on harmonising financial frameworks, reducing trade barriers, and strengthening institutional linkages to build a more vibrant, interconnected economic landscape.
He noted that integrated capital markets would not only boost cross-border investments but also enable countries to pool resources, diversify risks, and attract global investors seeking stability and long-term returns. Asia’s vast economic potential, he added, remains underutilised largely due to fragmented financial systems, inconsistent regulations, and limited regional collaboration.
By adopting modern financial technologies, improving governance standards, and ensuring transparency, he said, regional markets could be transformed into engines of inclusive and sustainable development.
Iftikhar Ali Malik further highlighted the role of public-private partnerships in accelerating regional economic integration. Governments, he stressed, must work closely with the corporate sector, chambers of commerce, and financial institutions to frame investor-friendly policies and foster innovation-driven growth.
He reaffirmed that enhanced cooperation within SAARC would generate new opportunities for trade, industrial expansion, and job creation, ultimately benefitting millions across the region. He added that the time had come for Asian economies to shift from conventional approaches to dynamic, technology-powered strategies to remain competitive globally.
Strengthened regional capital markets, he said, hold the key to unlocking Asia’s economic future by ensuring stability, sustainability, and shared prosperity.