ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar emphasised the need to take immediate actions to encourage the Chinese investors to invest in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The minister expressed these views, while chairing a consultative meeting to review the preparations for the upcoming 10th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting on CPEC, here on Thursday.
All the conveners of the respective Joint Working Groups (JWGs) under the CPEC framework including the secretary planning, chairman CPEC Authority, secretary communications, secretary foreign affairs, officials from the line ministries, and representatives from all the relevant departments attended the meeting.
Progress on prioritised SEZs under the CPEC including Rashakai, Dhabeji, Allama Iqbal Industrial City (M3) was also reviewed at the meeting.
While discussing progress in industrial cooperation sector under the CPEC, Asad Umar stressed the need to take immediate actions to encourage the Chinese investors to invest in the SEZs.
The minister emphasised to enhance business-to-business linkages between China and Pakistan; facilitate increased investment from the Chinese enterprises, enhance industrial competitiveness of business in Pakistan; through technology transfer, world class managerial and industrial practices, and skills transfer.
The conveners of the JWGs and their representatives briefed the federal minister on the agenda, and proposed deliverables for the 10th JCC.
According to the sources, the 10th JCC meeting would be held in the mid of the next month (November).
The minister expressed satisfaction over the preparations and suggested deliverables for the JCC.
Under the JWG on Transport and Infrastructure, Asad Umar agreed to take up DI Khan-Zhob highway project with the Chinese side for funding in the meeting of the respective JWG.
The chair also agreed that new projects will be considered in the next JCC after approval of the PC-I including Swat Express Way Phase-II and Peshawar-DI Khan Motorway.
Greater Peshawar Mass Transit was also discussed and it was decided that the project will be taken up with the Chinese side after the completion of the feasibility study.
Asad Umar directed the Ministry of National Food Security and Research to select need-based specific projects for agriculture to take up with the Chinese counterparts, and the FMD free zone for Balochistan should also be the part of the upcoming JCC.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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