Chairman Planning & Development (P&D) Habib-ur-Rehman Gilani has said Punjab is supporting the federal government in finalizing the long-term plan (LTP) for China Pakistan Economics corridor (CPEC) by ensuring its sectoral priorities and targeting the regional socio-economic needs.
He disclosed this while talking to the Delegation of Chinese Expert Team on Socio Economic Development led by Director General China International Electronic Commerce Centre, Professor Senior Engineer Du Zhenli and his ten team members visited P&D Complex on Monday Noon.
He said "There is an urgent need to identify projects pertaining to the sectors of interest to promote sustainable economic activity that may eventually result in a high employment rate, balanced urbanization and a developed services sector". He further said that no doubt China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the most successful project while China is extending a close cooperation with Pakistan under CPEC, ignoring any kind of negative impact of internal issues and challenges being faced by Pakistan.
The main objective of the meeting was to hold discussions with the Chinese Expert Team on Projects proposal of Punjab for Socio Economic Development under CPEC. In the meeting, administrative secretaries of Punjab government gave their perspective project proposals related to development sectors.
Chairman planning and Development (P&D) appreciated the efforts and commitments of both countries on key CPEC related Socio Economic Development Projects and also hoped that these development projects and their implementation will result in prosperity for the people of Punjab. With a special focus on development of the down trodden areas, these projects will also result in regional equalization bringing under developed areas at par with developed ones, he disclosed.
He said that the initiatives of the provincial government focus more on economic growth, human resource development, agriculture productivity, public private partnership and social and equitable development. As a result of these initiatives and aforementioned features of the development programme, the Annual Development Programme (ADP) is more aligned with the growth strategy objectives and China Pakistan Economics Corridor (CPEC) framework, and will further enable the accomplishment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), he added.
Provincial Secretary P&D Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Joint Chief Economist P&D Board Dr. Aman Ullah, all administrative secretaries, Members P&D Board, Senior representatives of Chinese Experts Group Ms. Dong Le Deputy Director CIECC Senior Engineer, Ms. Zhang Meng Engineer CIECC, Wang Haimin Associate Professor China Agricultural University, Simon Interpreter, CRBC China and other relevant officials were also present on the occasion.