PM appreciates Chinese interest in development projects
Source : Business Recorder Date : August 29, 2013
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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that Pakistan attaches great importance to Pak-China Friendship and appreciates interest of Chinese companies to invest in development projects in Pakistan.
He was talking to a delegation of National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China that was led by Zhang Xiaoqiang, Vice Chairman NDRC. Ishaq Dar Minister Finance, Ahsan Iqbal Minister Planning & Development, Khawaja Saad Rafiq Minister Railways, Khawaja Muhammad Asif Minister Water & Power and Tariq Fatemi Special Assistant to PM and senior officers attended the meeting.
The Prime Minster deliberated upon time-lines of various projects and said that Pakistan accords top priority to the Pak-China Economic Corridor, Motorway Projects and projects for Energy production. Prime Minister thanked the delegation for showing interest in projects that are vital for the economic growth of Pakistan.
Minister Planning & Development Ahsan Iqbal apprised the Prime Minister regarding the detailed meetings held between the Government of Pakistan and the NDRC and informed that a Joint Working Group (JWG) and a Joint Expert Group have already been established and regular meetings would be held between the two sides.
Vice Chairman NDRC said that there is a wave of excitement among Chinese companies and are eager to work on Projects in Pakistan. He also said that apart from Power Generation projects, China is also interested in Power Transmission & Distribution Projects too. Zhang assured that projects undertaken would be completed within the stipulated time. Chinese delegation expressed their desire to visit project sites in Lahore and Gawadar so that further avenues of cooperation could be explored.
Later, the Prime Minister hosted a luncheon in honor of the Chinese delegation.