Govt keen to enhance scope of CPEC

ISLAMABAD, Feb 26: Minister for Planning, Development and Reform, Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar Tuesday said that the government was keen to enhance scope of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the domain of socioeconomic development and agriculture sector keeping in view the potential of growth in these sector.

He expressed these remarks while meeting Du Zhenli, head of Chinese delegation, comprising of experts from socioeconomic development field here at the Ministry.

Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of China Zhao Lijian, Project Director Hasaan Daud were also present on the occasion.

A 13- member Chinese delegation is in the town to discuss implementation of this newly introduced sector under CPEC.

The experts are meeting with federal,  provincial government officials and experts to identify pilot projects and its implementation mechanism.

The Minister said, “We have come a long way in defining a sustainable way forward in the win-win cooperation framework between China and Pakistan”.

The federal and provincial governments were making all out efforts to realize the planned CPEC projects as soon as possible, he added.

The Minister said that in the second phase, scope of CPEC was being enhanced in the domains of social sector development and agriculture sector as both the sectors held a huge potential of growth of Pakistan.

He said that government was interested to start Pilot projects in these areas with the support of China on priority.

He informed that since the 8th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting in December last, Pakistan side had worked on the projects list as per the agreed action plan in six cooperation areas, which would be shared with Chines team.

“Our focus is on high impact, low gestation and low cost projects in less developed areas of Pakistan”, he remarked.

He said that priority would be given to projects in the field of vocational training, job creation, agriculture and health.

He hoped that experts on both sides would be able to firm up the proposed projects and to set up deliverables for the next meeting of the leaders in April next to further strengthen economic cooperation.

Meanwhile, the Chinese experts first meeting was held at Ministry of Planning under the chairmanship of Secretary Planning on Tuesday.

Both the side discussed potential projects and way forward for speedy implementation of this important cooperation.

The Government of Pakistan is committed to further strengthen the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, and build closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era.

CPEC vision has been expanded based on the priority and government vision for making it a true gateway for progress and prosperity under the slogan of “One Corridor, Many Doors”, the Minister added.

(APP)