PM seeks Chinese investment in energy sector
Source : Pak Tribune Date : June 17, 2013
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday invited the Chinese companies to invest in the energy sector of Pakistan as the country is experiencing a severe power shortage.
In a meeting with the five-member delegation led by China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) Chairman Wang Yitong, which called on him, the prime minister invited the company, which produces solar power plants, to install solar power plants in Pakistan. The prime minister assured the Chinese delegation that his government was ready and will extend all possible support and cooperation to NORINCO to expedite the process so that work on these projects can start in earnest.
The NORINCO chairman congratulated Prime Minister Nawaz on the assumption of his office. Yitong briefed the prime minister that his company was one of the 500 largest state-owned enterprises in terms of assets and revenue and deals in various areas, including petroleum, mining, engineering and infrastructure projects. He informed the prime minister that after successful visit of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to Pakistan, they have received special support of the Chinese government and leadership to boost business relations between the two friendly countries and undertake projects in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Nawaz recalled that during the recent visit of the Chinese premier to Pakistan, he had very useful and fruitful talks with him and termed the visit of the NORINCO delegation as a testimony that these relations were being further solidified, strengthened and expanded. The prime minister said that Pakistan had vast areas in Balochistan and south Punjab which have sunshine round the year and there was ample land available for installation of solar power plants in the country.
During the meeting, the prime minister also discussed the possibility of installation of solar energy plants in Balochistan where population is thin, scattered and at distances. This, he said, would help save laying of transmission lines which have a prohibitive cost. Prime Minister Nawaz also offered NORINCO to look into mining and setting up of coal power plants at sites in Thar, Balochistan and Punjab where coal is available. The work on the mining and setting up of thermal power plants, the prime minister said, can be carried out simultaneously so that the power can be produced as quickly as possible.
The prime minister also offered NORINCO to look into the exploration of iron ore in the country. He also discussed the possibility of projects for running underground trains in Karachi, Lahore and twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in order to facilitate commuters in these cities. The NORINCO chairman said that his company was serious and keen to take up projects in Pakistan. In this connection, he informed the prime minister that on his return to China, he would immediately despatch his team of experts to Pakistan to initiate discussions and take these ideas forward.
The meeting was attended by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal and senior officials of the Prime Minister's Office.
Meanwhile, in a separate meeting with Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Justice (r) Fakharuddin G Ebrahim, the prime minister said that the government firmly believed in strengthening and sustaining the democratic institutions of the country. Ebrahim congratulated the prime minister on assuming his office. Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt also called on the prime minister and discussed professional matters, overall security situation in the country and matters relating to national security.
Source: http://paktribune.com/business/news/PM-seeks-Chinese-investment-in-energy-sector-11307.html