The Punjab government has decided to set up a 1320MW coal power plant in Rahim Yar Khan. In this regard, the provincial government has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chinese Huang Shandong Power General Company which will extend technical cooperation for the project. Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) of Punjab government Jehanzeb Khan and Shandong Power Generation Company of China signed the agreement.
Moreover, the Punjab government and Shandong Ruyi Group also signed one MoU for setting up an institute of technical training. Secretary Energy of Punjab government Asad-ur-Rehman Gillani and Song Taji of Shandong Ruyi Group signed the agreement. Under this agreement, the Chinese company will set up a technical training institute in Sahiwal to provide vocational training to the local youth. The Punjab government and Shandong Ruyi Group also signed another MoU with regard to cooperate social responsibility (CSR).
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also hosted a reception in honour of officials of Chinese companies. Administrator National Energy Administration and Vice Chairman National Development and Reforms Commission China (NDRC) Nur Bekri, Chairman Huang Group of China Cao Peixi, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong, Chairman Rui Energy Group Yafu Qiu and Chinese officials attended the reception.
While speaking on the occasion, Shahbaz Sharif said that economic cooperation between Pakistan and China has reached new heights and new avenues of economic cooperation have been opened between the two countries. He observed that growing economic cooperation will benefit the people of both the countries while Chinese cooperation in energy sector is unprecedented.
He further said that the Punjab government is thankful to Chinese government and the people for their cooperation to overcome the energy crisis. He said different power plants are being completed speedily and Pakistan and China are standing shoulder to shoulder in every hour of trial.
He welcomed the agreements between Punjab government and Chinese companies and hoped that implementation on these projects will further extend bilateral economic cooperation. Administrator National Energy Administration China and Vice Chairman National Development and Reforms Commission Nur Bekri on the occasion paid rich tributes to untiring efforts, commitment and unusual work abilities of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in completion of 1320MW Sahiwal Coal Power Project in a record period of 22 months. He said Shahbaz Sharif has provided all-out assistance at every level for completion of the project in a record period of time.