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Pak-China Economic Corridor Secretariat inaugurated


Source : Business Recorder   Date : August 28, 2013   

Pak-China Economic Corridor Secretariat inaugurated

ISLAMABAD: The Pak-China Economic Corridor Secretariat on Tuesday was formally inaugurated here at the Planning Division aiming at transforming the strongest political relations into economic relations between the two friendly countries.


The secretariat was jointly inaugurated by Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal and Vice Chairman, National Development and Reforms Commission (NDRC) China, Zhang Xiaoqiang.


Earlier the inaugural meeting of Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of Pak-China Economic Corridor was held between Chinese delegation led by Zhang Xiaoqiang and representatives of different ministries led by Prof. Ahsan Iqbal.


The Chinese delegation comprised high government officials and prominent entrepreneurs.


Ahsan Iqbal, in his opening remarks, said, "It is high time to transform our strongest political relations into economic relations. These relations are of great significance for the people of Pakistan."


He said the corridor was not merely a transportation link but energy and telecommunication corridor also.


China's development experience of past three decades is a role model for the people of Pakistan, he added.


Pakistan, he said, supported one China policy on every forum. He said after withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, there would be a vacuum, which could only be filled by creating economic opportunities in the region to create jobs and economic alternatives.


In this regard, he said, the economic corridor was of high potential for the people of Afghanistan.


"Pak-China economic corridor has bilateral links with India, Afghanistan and Iran and would bolster the development in South Asia, and the Middle East," he remarked.


Prof Iqbal said, "Gawadar offers strategic opportunities not only to Pakistan and China but also to the rest of the world. We are keen to have Chinese investment in energy and infrastructure. We are already working with Chinese companies in Gaddani coastal energy park and in solar energy projects."


He further said the main challenge was to make economic relations as stranger are political relations.


He assured his Chinese counterpart of full cooperation from the government to materialize economic relations.


Source: http://www.brecorder.com/top-news/1-front-top-news/133093-pak-china-economic-corridor-secretariat-inaugurated.html