CPEC’s scope to be enhanced to socio-economic, agri sectors

ISLAMABAD: The Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiyar said Pakistan is keen to enhance the scope of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the domain of socioeconomic development and agriculture sectors keeping in view the potential of growth in these sectors.

He expressed these remarks while meeting Du Zhenli, head of Chinese delegation, comprising experts from socioeconomic development field here at the Ministry on Tuesday. Secretary Zafar Hasan, DeputyChief of Mission, Embassy of China Zhao Lijian and Project Director Hassan Daud were also present on the occasion. A 13-member Chinese delegation is in the town to discuss implementation of this newly introduced sectors under CPEC. The experts are meeting federal, provincial government officials and experts to identify pilot projects and its implementation mechanism.

The Minister PD&R said, “We have come a long way in defining a sustainable way forward in the win-win cooperation framework between China and Pakistan”. The federal and provincial governments are making all out efforts to realise the planned CPEC projects as soon as possible, he added. The minister said in the second phase, scope of CPEC is being enhanced in the domains of social sector development and agriculture sectors as both the sectors hold a huge potential of growth of Pakistan. He said the government is interested in starting pilot projects in these areas with the support of China on priority. Bakhtiyar informed that since the 8th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting in December last, Pakistan has worked on the projects list as per the agreed action plan in the six cooperation areas, which would be shared with Chinese team. “Our focus is on high impact, low gestation and low cost projects in the less developed areas of Pakistan,”he remarked. He said the priority will be given to projects in vocational training, job creation, agriculture and health. He hoped that experts on both sides will be able to firm up the proposed projects and to set up deliverables for the next meeting of the leaders in April next to further strengthen economic cooperation.

Meanwhile, the first meeting of the Chinese experts’was held at the Ministry of Planning under the chairmanship of Secretary Planning on Tuesday. Both the sides discussed potential projects and way forward for the speedy implementation of this important cooperation.

The Government of Pakistan is committed to further strengthen the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership, and build closer China-Pakistan community of shared future in the new era. The CPEC vision has been expanded based on the priority and government vision for making it a true gateway for progress and prosperity under the slogan of “One Corridor, Many Doors”.