China and Pakistan are well-known in Asia for their friendship, military, and diplomatic ties. They have maintained the terms for a long time. Now there is a new project in the pipeline that will further strengthen both countries’ diplomatic relations and respective industries including Real estate; and Real Estate Investments around the globe.
However, this economic development and the close-knotted corporation is CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor). It is a China’s flagship project, supported by ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
In this blog, we are highlighting how real estate, especially commercial sector, would evolve with the economic boost, created by the CPEC.
China is planning to invest around $40 billion . It will generate economic development within the next four to five years. Along with the best opportunities, it will reshape the fragile state of Pakistan and help the country stabilize in Asia.
CPEC is considered the game changer project for the country due to its geographical implications on South Asia. Once the project is developed, it has promising future opportunities, impacts, and challenges. It will bring immense prosperity and bilateral benefits to the economy of both countries.
Real Estate and CPEC in Pakistan
China and Pakistan’s collaboration will have a major impact on the country’s real estate. This project will link to farmlands, railroads, industries, property investment, and other development areas.
The real estate of Pakistan contributes to almost 60-70% (country approximately $300 to $400 billion) to the GDP of the country.
It will significantly boost the real estate industry and bring connections to various cultures, environments, and academic and regional exchange of knowledge and information. Even it encourages free trade, the flow of goods/services, business ventures, and production enhancements.
This will help local brands to prosper and expand, giving them the opportunity to increase their production, which require more space, means more demand for commercial properties.
CPEC is a multi-billion-dollar project that includes a vast network of infrastructure development projects across Pakistan. This project is aimed at improving Pakistan’s economy by enhancing transportation and communication links, energy production, and creating employment opportunities.
The real estate sector in Pakistan is expected to benefit significantly from the CPEC project. Here are a few ways in which CPEC could impact Pakistan’s real estate:
Increased Foreign Investment
CPEC is expected to attract significant foreign investment to Pakistan, which could lead to an increased demand for real estate in the country. This could result in new construction projects, particularly in the major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, etc., leading to a boost in the real estate sector.
Increasing foreign investment from this project is likely to have a positive impact on Pakistan’s real estate in several ways:
- Increase in Demand: The influx of foreign investment from the CPEC is likely to lead to an increase in demand for real estate properties. This increased demand may come from both local and foreign investors looking to invest in the country’s real estate sector, which could result in higher property prices.
- New Construction Projects: The CPEC project includes the development of several infrastructure projects, including roads, highways, railways, and airports. These developments are likely to lead to an increase in construction activity, which could result in the development of new real estate projects, including residential, mixed-use, and commercial projects.
- Improvement in Infrastructure: The CPEC project is expected to bring significant improvements to Pakistan’s transportation infrastructure, such as the construction of highways, railways, and airports. These improvements are likely to increase connectivity within the country, making it easier for people to travel and commute to work, which could lead to an increase in demand for properties in areas that are better connected. Well-connected commercial hubs like Blue Area Islamabad
- Boost to the Economy: The project is aimed at improving Pakistan’s economy, which could lead to an increase in disposable income among the country’s population. This could result in higher purchasing power and an increased demand for properties, particularly in the mid and high-end segments of the real estate market.
Industrial Development
CPEC includes the development of several special economic zones (SEZs) across Pakistan. These SEZs are expected to attract foreign investment and industrial development, which could lead to an increased demand for commercial real estate properties, such as warehouses, factories, and offices.
This game-changing infrastructure development project aims to connect China’s western region to Pakistan’s Gwadar port through a network of highways, railways, and pipelines. The project is expected to significantly increase industrial development in Pakistan, which can have a positive impact on the country’s real estate sector in several ways:
- Increased demand for commercial real estate: As more industries are established in Pakistan, there will be a higher demand for commercial real estate such as office spaces, warehouses, and factories. This increased demand can lead to higher property prices and rental yields, particularly in areas close to industrial zones.
- Boost to construction industry: With the development of new industries, there will also be a need for new infrastructure and buildings to support them. This can lead to an increase in construction activity and provide opportunities for developers, contractors, and other related businesses.
- Growth of new residential areas: As industries develop in certain areas, there may be a need for new residential areas to accommodate the workforce. This can lead to the development of new housing projects and the growth of existing residential areas.
- Improved infrastructure: The development of the CPEC project will also improve infrastructure across the country, including roads, railways, and energy supply. This can make certain areas more attractive/future-oriented to real estate investors and developers, leading to increased property values.
Increased Employment Opportunities
The CPEC project is expected to create several new job opportunities across Pakistan, particularly in the construction and infrastructure development sectors. This could lead to an increased demand for residential properties, as people move to new areas for work.
The Economic Corridor (CPEC) is expected to create thousands of employment opportunities in Pakistan. The development of new industries and infrastructure will result in a surge of demand for labor in different sectors, which can have a positive impact on the real estate market, like:
- Increased demand for residential and commercial real estate: As more people get employed, there will be a higher demand for housing in the areas where industries are established. Also, there will be a higher demand for office spaces, retail outlets, and other businesses. This can lead to higher property prices and rental yields in commercial areas and areas close to industrial zones.
- Increase in disposable income: With more people employed, there will be an increase in disposable income, which can lead to a rise in consumer spending. This can result in higher demand for luxury goods and services, which can lead to the development of high-end residential and commercial properties.
- Improvement in socio-economic conditions: With more employment opportunities, there will be an improvement in the social and economic conditions of the population. This can result in increased investment in real estate and infrastructure development.
Overall, the creation of employment opportunities from the CPEC project is likely to have a positive impact on Pakistan’s real estate sector. However, the extent of this impact will depend on how successfully the project is implemented and how quickly industries are established in different parts of the country.
CPEC – A life-time Opportunity for Pakistan
CPEC offers several opportunities for economic development. It influxes massive investments that strengthen the social sectors to improve the business environment and commercial attractiveness for foreign opportunities.
This will benefit not only the Chinese investors engaged in CPEC but also all foreign investors in Pakistan.
The industrial revolution will create innumerable jobs for the country with highest unemployed population. It will turn fiscal and social burdens into an economic and developmental drive. Another opportunity will be long-lasting stability and improved security.
It will require planned infrastructure, energy, and investments to create space and opportunity for the private sector. It will control poverty prevailing in the country. And, in the long-term, safety and security of the country will improve due to economic stability.
Furthermore, CPEC will bring integrity and a friendly, stable situation in South Asia. It will create a strong bond and add-to infrastructures, bringing connectivity within the continent. This project will connect China, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asian countries on one platform.
