Islamabad: Pakistan and China have agreed upon the groundbreaking of Gwadar International Airport and several other projects in 2019, a news source reported. The Minister for Planning and Development Khusro Bakhtiar met with Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing on Tuesday. This inauguration will be held in the next three months.
Bakhtiar and Ying agreed to accelerate work by encouraging joint ventures and export-led growth under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Both declared 2019 as the year of industrial, agricultural, and socioeconomic collaboration. Discussing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed at the 8th CPEC Joint Coordination Committee, Bakhtiar stated that it was focused on encouraging Chinese investors. The MoU provides a framework for communication in key industries; helping China to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan.
Ambassador Jing appreciated that the scope of CPEC was expanded at the 8th JCC. He further expressed his gratitude for Pakistan’s government for facilitating Chinese investors. He added that a large number of investors will come to Pakistan soon.
Bakhtiar shared that the government is framing policies to ensure ease of business within a short time period. He also said that the action plan discussed in the meeting will speed up development of deprived areas.
Both officials agreed to accelerate implementation of initiatives in six major sectors. These include education, agriculture, water supply, vocational training, medical treatment, and poverty alleviation. Next meeting of this joint working group for socioeconomic development will take place on February 15, 2019.
