A high level delegation would visit China from 24-29 April to study Chinese Industrial Zones/Industrial Parks as a model for establishing such zones in Pakistan under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), it is learnt.
According to sources, to expedite the construction of Industrial Parks along the economic corridor, it was decided in the fifth Joint Co-ordination Committee (JCC) meeting that a high level Pakistani delegation would visit China on a study tour of Chinese Industrial Zones/Parks as Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and industrial clusters that have made a crucial contribution to China's economic success.
The sources revealed that the 15-member delegation would be headed by Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal and include Chairman Board of Investment/Secretary Board of Investment, Secretary Planning, Chief Economist of Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms, Executive Director of CPEC Centre of Excellence of the Ministry, Project Director CPEC of the Ministry, Chief (Industry Section) of the Ministry, Chairman Gwadar Port Authority of Ministry of Ports and Shipping, representative of government of Balochistan/Provincial Board of Investment, representative of government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa /Provincial Board of Investment, representative of government of Sindh/Provincial Board of Investment, representative of government/Provincial Board of Investment, representative of Ministry of Industries & Production, DG, Gwadar Development Authority of government of Balochistan and representative from Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI).
The Prime Minister has approved the composition of the delegation.
Sources revealed that the delegation would visit Shanghai, Suzhou, Tianjin, Beijing and Shandong provinces and that the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China has extended the invite to Pakistan's high level delegation.
Sources further said visit would also provide an opportunity to understand China's policy with regard to Special Economic Zones/Industrial Parks establishment.
The construction of Industrial Parks/Economic Zones along China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would boost trade and financial flows as well as contribute significantly to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment, exports and attracting foreign investment. The SEZs would also play an important role in bringing new technologies and in adopting modern management practices.