Islamabad: Pakistan and China on Thursday (December 30) agreed to contribute all-out efforts to develop the Gwadar Free Zone and port city, news sources reported. Both sides also agreed to start Gwadar Free Zone Phase-II, which spans over an area of 2,221 acres.
As per the news, video conferences on two Joint Working Groups (JWG) on Gwadar and Socio-Economic Development were held by Chinese and Pakistani officials, during which, meetings were held where mutual cooperation agreements were discussed. The meetings were attended by the members of the executive council from both sides. Reportedly, one of the meetings stressed the importance of the Marketing and Investment Plan for Free Zone along with the implementation strategy. The said plan for Gwadar Free Zone is to be tabled before the Cabinet Committee on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It was said that this plan will address concerns with project investment as well as the simplification of the present investment policy.
During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady progress made on various projects, including the full operationalization of the Gwadar Port and its inclusion in the Afghan Transit Trade route; completion of the Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute; significant progress on the Eastbay Expressway; and the start of work on the New Gwadar International Airport and the Pak-China Friendship Hospital.
Nauman Ahmad is an imaginative Pisces whose love for literature and nature is unparalleled. When he's not reading or hiking, he's sleeping and eating, which gives him plenty of energy for his next adventure.
