ISLAMABAD: The Power Division has decided to engage and meet with all investors of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy projects to further fast-track projects and also to remove the difficulty if any is being faced by them. All power sector stakeholders like Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB), Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) and National Transmission & Dispatch Company (NTDC) will be part of these meetings in this regard.
According to power division, it was disclosed by the Power Division Minister Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari in a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing on Wednesday.
The Federal Minister thanked the Chinese Ambassador for choosing the Power Division for his maiden visit after assuming the charge of Ambassador in Pakistan.
Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari while appreciating the contributions of Chinese investors in the power sector said CPEC is the epicentre of relations between the two countries and in the time to come the cooperation will only boost further.
The federal minister also invited suggestion of the Chinese ambassador for the planned meetings with the investors.
Leghari highlighted the opportunities the service sector has to offer and invited Chinese investors to explore service delivery at DISCOs level, which offers lucrative returns.
Yao Jing said that the performance of power sector under CPEC has been a success story which has been acknowledged at different forums in China. He specially mentioned the power division’s role in leading CPEC projects and facilitating Chinese Investors. He said that investors in China are keenly observing the fast-growing power sector in Pakistan and its progress has been reckoned as exemplary.
The Chinese ambassador assured that China will extend all assistance to Pakistan in the power sector as it has been instrumental in the success of CPEC. He added that China is considering investing in the service delivery at the distribution level and in this regard will soon engage with leading service providers in China.
The Chinese ambassador also appreciated the power division’s decision to meet each investor under the CPEC individually for boosting cooperation, while agreeing to nominate a focal person at embassy level for coordinating the extension of cooperation for service delivery at the distribution level.
The Chinese ambassador mentioned the services of the former president of Pakistan late Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari in developing Pak-China relations. He also mentioned the role of former president during the founding days of Bao Economic Forum and his active participation. Yao Jing added that he first met late Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari back in 1996 during the visit of the Chinese prime minister.
