ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will lead the Pakistani delegation to the Boao Forum Annual Conference for Asia in Boao, China, from April 8-10, his office said on Sunday.

The main theme of the conference is: “An Open and Innovative Asia for a World of Greater Prosperity.”

The Boao Forum is a non-governmental, non-profit international organization that was inaugurated in 2001.

Boao, a small fishing town in China’s southern island province of Hainan, has earned a reputation as Asia’s Davos because of the annual conference.

It aims to promote and deepen economic exchanges, coordination and cooperation within Asia, and between the continent and other parts of the world.

The forum enables “government leaders, enterprises, experts and scholars to discuss economy, investment, technology and energy-related sectors in a collaborative manner,” Abbasi’s office said.

He will be a keynote speaker in the opening session along with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders. Abbasi will also hold meetings with Chinese and other leaders.

The forum gives him an opportunity to highlight the progress achieved in implementing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

“The visit will help in promoting Pakistan as a successful economic partner in the region as well as in the global context,” his office said.