Islamabad: 22nd August 2023: Caretaker Federal Minister for Planning Muhammad Sami Saeed presided over the Progress Review Meeting of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. On this occasion, The Chief Economist and Head of CPEC Secretariat, Dr. Muhammad Nadeem Javaid gave a comprehensive briefing regarding the progress related to completed projects, the ongoing projects, and the future considerations, planning, and initiatives to be taken in continuation to the first successful decade of CPEC.
The Briefing got attended by the Secretary for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Syed Zafar Ali Shah, and the officials of the CPEC Secretariat. Dr. Javaid emphasized that CPEC has played a vital role in transforming Pakistan's economic landscape. He highlighted the completion of several key energy projects, infrastructure projects, such as the construction of power plants, highways and ports, which have improved energy security of Pakistan and connectivity within the country and facilitated trade between Pakistan and China.
Dr. Nadeem Javaid also explained the rational of CPEC and BRI through pointing out the Entire Trade routes, starting from Gwadar Port in Pakistan's Baluchistan province and passing through several major cities including Quetta, Sukkur, Lahore, Islamabad, and various small villages and cities on Global Map. From there, the route extends into China's Xinjiang region.
The briefing also included an overview of the industrial collaboration between China and Pakistan under CPEC. It was further highlighted the establishment of special economic zones (SEZs) and the increased investment by Chinese companies in various sectors, especially manufacturing. This collaboration has not only promoted industrialization in Pakistan but also created job opportunities and boosted the country's export capacity.
Furthermore, Dr. Nadeem presented the plans for the phase-II of CPEC, GDI, South-South Cooperation and informed the Minister about the recent statement of President Xi’s which was read by the Vice Premier He Lefeng and ‘CPEC Future Plans’ on which he emphasized working with Pakistan on new Corridors namely the Growth Corridor, Innovation Corridor, Green Corridor, Corridor of livelihoods, and Opening up Corridor. He emphasized the need to consolidate the gains made in the first decade and focus on further diversifying the economy, promoting innovation and technology transfer.
In this regard, the Federal Minister expressed his resolve to maintain the ongoing pace of CPEC projects and step-up the pace where needed. He reiterated that the caretaker regime has been mandated to maintain the pace of all developmental initiatives with CPEC being given top priority. The Federal Minister urged all the concerned departments and ministries to work in harmony so that the gains for the national economy could be ensured in time. He expressed that the CPEC will play a consequential role in the development of the region and Pakistan.
