Punjab signs 50 agreements with China

Shahbaz says he is also Khadim of Chinese investors; Communist Party gave him extraordinary protocol

ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, while concluding his five-day hectic visit to China, said all contracts, agreements and memorandums of understanding are not traditional rather they will be implemented quickly. 

Talking exclusively with The News in a plane on his way to back Pakistan, Shahbaz said "Punjab speed" is not just title for him but rather it's honour and credit of the Punjab government and people of the province.

China unprecedentedly gave protocol entitled for any international heads of state to Punjab CM who after signing 50 various MoUs, agreements and contracts during his five days visit returned home on Friday. "I'm also the same Khadim, servant, of Chinese investors like of people of Punjab" Shahbaz said.

Punjab CM further added as his all efforts are for betterment of the province and vowed to continue it for the people of the province. Shahbaz, while commenting on his visit to Chinese garments factories, said that all international brands were getting prepared their brands from China and Chinese garments dominates and rule in the West. 

While talking with The News CM further said that Chinese leadership and people have won the hearts of Pakistani delegation including him during the visit to China. He said that a number of important agreements were signed between China and Punjab in energy, vocational training, textile, infrastructure and transport sector for accelerating the pace of implementation of the existing agreements.

He was talking to The News during visit to Jimo City before returning to Pakistan. The chief minister said that the term ‘Punjab Speed’ with regard to pace of implementation of agreements in energy sector in the province is not only an honour for him but also for Punjab government and people of the province. He said provincial government is utilizing all its energies for coming up to the expectations of Chinese government and the ruling Shahbaz Sharif said that Chinese garments are very popular throughout the world including western countries. He said that Punjab is an ideal place for investment and the investors should keep in mind that loadshedding will be overcome by next year and abundant electricity will be available for industry. Replying to a question, the chief minister said maximum facilities will be provided to foreign investors as his efforts are directed towards progress and prosperity of the province. He said setting up of industries and creation of job opportunities will result in prosperity of the masses. 

Replying to another question, he said by the unprecedented welcome accorded to him the Communist Party of China has proved that there is complete harmony between Pakistan Muslim League-N and the Communist Party of China with regard to progress and prosperity of Pakistan. Answering another question, the Chief Minister said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor has taken Pak-China friendship to new heights. He said that about 50 agreements and memorandums of understanding were signed between Punjab government and China during the visit. Out of these 20 are agreements and the remaining are MoUs, he added. He said that these are not traditional agreements but will be speedily implemented. 

Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif also visited economic development zone in Jimo City China. During the visit of economic development zone he said that he has made China his model and modern service centers will also be set up in Punjab on the same pattern. He said that he was deeply impressed with the modern facilities available in textile and garments city and the same model will be replicated in Punjab. 

Chinese government and diplomatic circles are discussing that the five-day visit of Shahbaz Sharif to China has been very successful. During the visit, Chinese leadership especially leaders of Communist Party of China extended a warm welcome to Shahbaz and his delegation. 

Another element of the visit of chief minister was that he traveled by a fast train from Beijing to Jinan and from there to Qingdao. The chief minister during the entire visit performed as a seasoned diplomat and highlighted the importance of growing trade, economic and industrial relations between Pakistan and China and CPEC project for the region especially Pakistan and the role of China in its progress and development. Senior leadership of China and leaders of Communist Party and Ministers assured Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif of their all out cooperation for the projects aimed at development of Pakistan especially Punjab and openly acknowledged his selfless service to the people of the province and his role in strengthening of Pak-China relations.

Our Lahore Correspondent adds: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said Chinese leadership and people have won hearts of Pakistani delegation including him during the visit to China. 

He said a number of important agreements were signed between China and Punjab in energy, vocational training, textile, infrastructure and transport sector for accelerating the pace of implementation of the existing agreements. 

He was talking to Chinese investors and media during his visit to Jimo City before returning to Pakistan. The chief minister said the term ‘Punjab Speed’ with regard to pace of implementation of agreements in energy sector in the province is not only an honour for him but also for the Punjab government and people of the province.

He said the provincial government is utilizing all its energies for coming up to expectations of Chinese government and the ruling party. 

Addressing Chinese investors in garments sector, Shahbaz said Chinese garments are popular throughout the world including western countries. He said Punjab is an ideal place for investment and the investors should keep in mind that loadshedding will be overcome by next year and abundant electricity will be available for industry. Replying to a question, the chief minister said that maximum facilities will be provided to foreign investors as his efforts are directed towards progress of the province. He said setting up industries and creation of job opportunities will result in prosperity of the masses. 

Shahbaz also visited economic development zone in Jimo City, China. He saw various sections of the economic development zone and took special interest in service center under one window operation and international pavilion.
 He reviewed provision of modern facilities to investors. Shahbaz also visited textile and garments industries in Jimo City. 

Talking to Chinese investors and senior officials, he said he has made China his model and modern service centers will also be set up in Punjab on the same pattern. He said he was impressed over the modern facilities available in textile and garments city and the same model will be replicated in the Punjab. 

Later, talking at the airport after his return from China, the chief minister said fruitful talks were held with Chinese leadership, leaders of Communist Party and investors and objectives of his visit have been achieved. He said his visit to China has been more successful than his expectations. He said more investment will come from China in different sectors while Chinese cooperation with Pakistan especially Punjab will also increase. Chinese Consul General Yu Boren, Chief Secretary beside senior officers were present at the airport. Chinese Consul General congratulated the chief minister on the success of his visit.