International bids have been invited for the building of Bhasha dam project with incentive clause for early completion and three Chinese companies are among the bidders. This was stated in a meeting, held at presidency with President Asif Ali Zardari in the chair. The meeting was held as a follow up action on Pak-China collaborative projects.
Minister for Interior, Rehman Malik, Advisor Finance Shaukat Tarin, Advisor Petroleum Dr Asim, Special Assistant to PM on Water Kamal Majidullah, Secretary General Salman Faruqi, besides Secretaries and senior officials of relevant ministries attended the meeting which reviewed the Chinese-funded projects. The Chinese Ambassador in Islamabad was also present as a special invitee.
President spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that the feasibility study of the dam had already been offered to Chinese Companies. The President was informed that Wapda had also invited bids for project consultancy on international competitive bid (ICB) basis.
Special invitation had also been extended to the Georges Dam Corporation of China to participate in the construction of the dam and other projects. The President was also briefed about the ongoing collaborative projects with China undertaken recently following the President's visit to that country, the Spokesperson said.
About progress in other areas the meeting was informed that Chinese companies were invited to visit Pakistan to explore possibility of transfer of hybrid technology. A Chinese delegation visited Pakistan about two weeks ago brought with them hybrid rice seeds for sowing in selected areas in Pakistan on experimental basis.
Other Chinese companies are on way to Pakistan with sample of hybrid seed of cotton and wheat and drip irrigation technology to optimise use of irrigation water and save water resources. The state run Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences had been involved in imparting technical expertise and co-ordination with the Chinese companies, the meeting was informed.
An MoU has already been signed with the Agricultural Sciences Academy of China envisaging co-operation and joint research in hybrid technology, horticulture, water conservation and in rice cultivation in collaboration with the Rice Research Institute in Dokri. While hybrid seed had already arrived in Pakistan the machines for drip irrigation are on their way and being airlifted.
The meeting was also informed that an exceptionally good wheat crop is expected this year, which would necessitate the building of additional storage capacity on fast track basis to avoid damage to wheat stored in the open. The President asked to undertake immediately the project of building additional wheat storage capacity.
He said that the money spent today on building the storage capacity, will be more than recovered by avoiding loss due to damage to the wheat stored in the open. The President also advised to consider using the latest fast building machines for constructing shelters for the internally displaced persons in the Frontier province in addition to building storage capacity.
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