ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said that the pace of projects under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be accelerated in weeks and months to come.
He was talking to Ambassador of China to Pakistan Yao Jing in Islamabad the other day.
Matters relating to CPEC and economic cooperation between the two countries in general, came under discussion.
Asad expressed his satisfaction at the pace of various projects under the CPEC, saying that that the establishment and operationalization of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) is currently the top priority. The SEZ would enable setting up of joint ventures in manufacturing which would integrate the enterprises from both the sides, he added. He emphasized that it was important for Pakistani manufacturing industries to become part of the global value chain by partnering with the Chinese companies.
The Chinese ambassador assured the minister that the Chinese side was keen to promote such relationships between businesses and manufacturing industries. Collaboration in the agriculture sector was also discussed. Asad said that massive potential exists in agriculture sector by modernizing and upgrading its various sub-sectors. He underlined the need to expand collaboration in agriculture sector, which is extremely important for the Pakistani economy.
Yao Jing expressed the hope that bilateral partnership between the two countries would be taken to new heights in future. The ambassador appreciated the government of Pakistan’s efforts to expedite the work on the CPEC projects.
