ISLAMABAD, November 22, 2019: Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform and Special Initiative  Asad Umar has said that ongoing phase of CPEC will bring about socio-economic benefits for the welfare of the people, noting that the bilateral framework agreements has now entered into the second phase with focus on poverty alleviation, agriculture and industrial cooperation. 
Federal Minister was talking to Chinese ambassador Yao Jing who called on him at Islamabad on Friday. 
Minister stated that CPEC offers enormous potential to boost national economy and reduce poverty. Both dignitaries discussed future projects which would be included under CPEC. 
The Chinese ambassador Yao Jing congratulated the Minister on assumption of Office as Federal Minister for Planning. He expressed satisfaction over the progress of CPEC projects noting that the pace of CPEC projects has accelerated after the incumbent government came into power and hoped that bilateral partnership between the two friendly countries will further strengthen in future.