ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Adviser on Finance and Revenue Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has stated that the government was taking several institutional steps to further speed-up implementation of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

The adviser was talking to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing who called on him on Friday and several matters of mutual interest came under discussion during the meeting.

Hafeez Shaikh emphasized that CPEC was the culmination and anchor of the great friendship and deep-rooted collaboration of the people and governments of China and Pakistan to realize their joint destiny, achieve their common objectives and ensure a more prosperous future for both nations.

He also appreciated the continuous and unwavering support that China had been providing to Pakistan as a true iron brother.

While reviewing the serious social and economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic across the globe, the adviser apprised the Chinese Ambassador of the wide-reaching measures government had taken to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 and was further planning for the provision of much needed relief especially to the low-income and vulnerable groups.

He also informed the Ambassador of the initiatives that were being undertaken to stimulate the economy in those difficult and uncertain times.

The Chinese Ambassador stressed that the people of China stood shoulder to shoulder by their Pakistani brethren. He also assured that China would provide enhanced investments in development projects that would both stimulate the economy and generate employment. Jing said China placed the highest value on its fraternal relations with Pakistan and thanked the Adviser for his consistent support.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020