Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiative, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal has said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had not only been central to Pakistan\u2019s economic growth, but it had also contributed to regional connectivity and development.<\/p>\n
During a meeting with Li Chunlin, Vice Chairman of China\u2019s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in Beijing, the minister paid rich tribute to the leadership of the two countries for providing strategic guidance to the development of CPEC, which is a flagship project of BRI.<\/p>\n
He reaffirmed Pakistan\u2019s strong commitment to smooth and high-quality development of the next phase of CPEC with a greater focus on the development of industrial parks and Special Economic Zones.<\/p>\n
Vice Chairman Li noted that during the recent visit of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to China, the leadership of the two countries reached an important consensus to advance CPEC development, adding that NDRC was working hard to implement the leadership\u2019s direction.<\/p>\n
The minister said that 2023 marked the \u2018Decade of CPEC\u2019 and the strong partnership between the Planning Division and NDRC. Recalling the signing of the CPEC Framework Agreement in Beijing on 5th July 2013 in the presence of the leadership of the two countries, he informed that the Government of Pakistan was planning to hold special events to \u201cmark this milestone and invited Chinese leadership to attend\u201d.<\/p>\n
In this respect, he also extended an invitation to the Chairman NDRC to visit Pakistan and as well as hold a special session of the CPEC Joint Coordination Committee on this occasion.<\/p>\n
The minister also sought strong support from NDRC and other relevant Chinese government institutions to advance the implementation of the ML-1, KRC and key energy projects in line with the leadership consensus.<\/p>\n
The two sides expressed satisfaction over the completion of some key projects at Gwadar Port and agreed to continue the momentum for making it a hub of international trade and regional connectivity.<\/p>\n
The minister remarked that Pakistan greatly valued the contributions of the Chinese IPPs in helping Pakistan achieve energy security and informed the Vice Chairman about the steps taken by his government to facilitate their projects.<\/p>\n
Vice Chairman, Li Chunlin appreciated the contributions of the minister to the advancement of CPEC and his support to NDRC over the years and assured him of NDRC\u2019s long-term commitment to the common objective of high-quality CPEC development.<\/p>\n
Noting that the 11th JCC meeting had paved the way for fast-track implementation of CPEC projects, the two sides agreed to start preparing for the 12th JCC and hold technical Joint Working Group meetings on a regular basis every two months to ensure closer coordination.<\/p>\n
On the minister\u2019s proposal, the two sides reached a consensus to set up expert groups on enhancing Pakistan\u2019s export potential and development of Special Economic Zones and industrial parks on the basis of the Chinese experience.<\/p>\n
The minister also requested the vice chairman\u2019s support and guidance in the development of high-tech industries based on his own experience of working in Shaanxi province.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiative, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal has said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) had not only been central to Pakistan\u2019s economic growth, but it had also contributed to regional connectivity and development. During a meeting with Li Chunlin, Vice Chairman of China\u2019s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) in Beijing, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":324203,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-324195","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n