‘CPEC impacts to be lasting, strong’

LAHORE: Punjab Industries, Commerce and Trade Minister Sheikh Alla-u-din has said a new era of Sino-Pak relations have started with the advent of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its impacts will be lasting and strong. 

Chairing a meeting to discuss plans for incoming visit to China in September here on Monday, the minister said China invested $60 billion under CPEC projects of infrastructure, transport, energy and other mega projects. The meeting was attended by Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) CEO Jahanzaib Brana, PBIT Director Sohail Qadri, Investment Deputy Secretary Abdul Moeed, Additional Secretary Commerce Madam Rafia and other officers concerned were present on the occasion.

The meeting discussed the ideas related to the enhancement of cooperation in skill development, textile, garments and other industrial sectors between Punjab and China. The minister said China attained rapid development under the vibrant leadership of the Chinese government and has now become a role model for the rest, becoming the world’s second economic power, he added. He said CPEC produced tremendous opportunities of investment in Pakistan and Punjab; likewise, China is contributing more than Rs51 billion.

He vowed to boost cooperation in the fields of textile, garments and skill development. He said a delegation of the Punjab government along with different trader groups will visit there in September 2017 to participate in western China International Fair Import Exhibition. 

performance: Punjab Primary & Secondary Health Secretary Ali Jan Khan has directed the officers and the staff of the department to improve their performance and attention should be paid to resolve visitors’ problems on priority. 

Ali Jan directed for maintaining strict discipline in offices and keeping the premises neat and clean. He said this while chairing a departmental meeting in his office on Monday, according to a handout. Punjab Health Services Director General Dr Faisal Zahoor, all additional secretaries, deputy secretaries, directors of Vertical Health Programmes and officers of IT wing attended the meeting.

The secretary reviewed the development schemes and said PC-I of development projects must be prepared on fast track. The secretary said delay would not be tolerated in timely preparation of PC-I. Ali Jan directed the officers of nursing wing that nurses coming to their offices for their official matter should be facilitated properly.