Research and Development International (RDI)
Date : 01-06-2015
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Research and Development International (RDI) is a joint think-tank envisioned and established by the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and the China Institute for Reforms and Development (CIRD).
Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Pakistan-China Institute and Madam Zhao Baige, Vice Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee are currently co-chairing this newly launched think-tank.
The idea of RDI took root at a recent conference held in Haikou on the ‘One Belt, One Road’ Initiative, in April 2015. The Conference brought together political leaders, government entities, entrepreneurs and think tanks on a single platform, to discuss prevailing issues and impediments in executing the initiative and instituting RDI as a think tank dedicated to promoting policy research on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The delegates from participating countries achieved complete consensus to make RDI functional. Besides China, the think-tank will have its official secretariat at Pakistan-China Institute in Islamabad.
The purpose of establishing RDI is to pool resources and expertise from various think tanks, government entities, global consultancy firms, political parties and media outlets to collaborate on issues of mutual interest through an effective platform to ensure coordination and swift communication.
An initial work plan for the think tank has been drafted and is presently under review. Research and Development International aims to formulate a China-Pakistan Experts Panel comprising of political leaders, researchers, business entrepreneurs and consultants. The panel, co-chaired by Senator Mushahid Hussain and Madam Zhao Baige, would provide consultation and related services on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in particular and the One Belt, One Road Initiative in general.
RDI’s primary research areas would include infrastructural connectivity, Economic and Trade Cooperation, Industrial Investment, Energy and Resource Exploration, Financial Cooperation, Social Development Cooperation and Ecological Cooperation. RDI would also introduce a series of conferences on the ‘One Belt, One Road’ Initiative and would function as a platform for multilateral and bilateral collaboration for organizations around the globe. The think tank would also provide private companies an effective channel to communicate their concerns to regulatory bodies and related government agencies regarding private investments and public-private partnerships.
The Pakistan-China Institute, in collaboration with the Tsinghua University would also be introducing the initiative of establishing a China-Pakistan Information Corridor (CPIC) that would serve as a focal point for news and information regarding the Economic Corridor. The CPIC would aim to provide relevant and timely updates to media outlets, concerned governmental agencies, academicians and diplomats, among others.
This information corridor would also cater to publicity needs of other projects under the CPEC, including those on climate change. It would also aim at enhancing cooperation and coordination among news agencies from Pakistan and China. With the aim of keeping all stakeholders well informed, the dedicated website for the information corridor would take lead in disseminating pertinent news and key developments relating to the Economic Corridor. It will also deliver real time information services for investors from both countries in key areas of business development, marketing and human resource.
With significant initiatives in the pipeline, Research and Development International would assume a central role in spearheading research and development on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, with expertise from both China and Pakistan. The working group for the think tank will meet formally for the first time after its creation, in Pakistan, at the Pakistan-China Institute on 2nd June 2015, to discuss further the future course of action. The delegation will also engage in high-level meetings with the Prime Minister, Chief Ministers of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Punjab, as well as Federal Ministers for Planning and Finance.
