Five new economic corridors being developed under CPEC

ISLAMABAD: In the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), five new economic corridors are being developed, including a corridor of growth, corridor of employment, corridor of innovation, corridor of green energy and a corridor of inclusive regional development.

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has directed the authorities to start working on the five new corridors with the help of experts. Sources said the meeting of high-level CPEC forum Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) is likely to be convened in March or April to discuss the CPEC’s new corridors as well as alternate energy projects. The federal government has taken steps to expedite the pace of work on CPEC projects. In a CPEC Review Committee meeting held under the chair of Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, the authorities gave a briefing on the recommendations of JCC Working Group, while MoUs signed in the third Road and Belt Summit were also reviewed. The minister was briefed on CPEC projects, ML-1, Karakoram Highway Phase 2, D I Khan-Zhob, Karachi Circular Railways (KCR) and other projects.

Ahsan Iqbal directed to enhance coordination with the relevant ministries. In addition, he directed to submit PC-1 from relevant ministries to implement the projects. He also instructed the authorities to present reports and recommendations of the meetings of Working Groups for a monthly review.

Terming China as the best destination for exports of Pakistani products, the minister also recommended steps to promote exports to China. Talking about Gwadar, Ahsan Iqbal said Gwadar is the best tourism spot and showed his resolve to present a comprehensive strategy to promote investment in Gwadar.