‘Debt burden of CPEC not increasing’

ISLAMABAD: The spokesman of Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform, while referring to false impression being spread about CPEC, Friday said that it is a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative and its financing comprises of Government to Government loans, private investment and grants. To date, 22 projects worth US $28 billion are in various stages of implementation, of which US $22 billion worth are private sector energy projects, says a Ministry press release.

According to the spokesman, the government of Pakistan’s financial liability is only to the tune of US $5.8 billion comprising of low interest loans and grants in infrastructure projects spread over 20 to 25 years payback period. The Energy projects are being executed purely in the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) mode and finances are mainly taken by the private companies against their own balance sheets. Therefore, debt would be borne by the investors instead of any obligation on part of the government of Pakistan. Therefore; the impression of debt burden falling on the government of Pakistan is based on incorrect analysis.

The spokesman elaborated that the second phase of CPEC is focused on industrial cooperation (B 2 B JVs), socio economic development and agriculture cooperation, directed towards poverty alleviation of less developed areas of Pakistan based on pragmatic planning and due diligence on both sides.

The spokesman/focal person further said that comparing cooperation with China through CPEC, with any other country, is unrealistic as it has facilitated in overcoming crucial energy, transport infrastructure and supply chain bottlenecks. Under CPEC, development of Gwadar (mostly through grant / interest-free loans) projects would ensure strengthening of maritime sector. The development of Gwadar port project is on BOT mode and cannot be compared with any port project being developed on foreign funding/loans. Gwadar continues as high priority and is being developed as a standalone project as well as a transshipment hub based on blue economy principles.

All in all, CPEC is acting as a stimulus to the economic growth of Pakistan. The false narrative of a “debt trap” is not based on the ground realities, the statement ended.