Majority of CPEC projects completed: diplomat

KARACHI: The majority of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects have been completed, with Gwadar becoming the most important in the region, an official said on Monday.

Chinese Consul General Li Bijian during his visit to the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati) said that CPEC is an important part of Pakistan-China friendship, but the relationship between the two countries and with the business community is much deeper than that.

He expressed concern over the situation of Pakistan’s low-income class and said that there is an attempt to somehow get Pakistan out of the economic difficulties.

Kati president Salman Aslam; senior vice president Maheen Salman; vice president Syed Farrukh Qandhari; former presidents Danish Khan, Farrukh Mazher, Johar Qandhari, Ehteshamuddin, Muslim Mohammadi and other members were also present on the occasion.

Kati president Salman Aslam welcomed the Chinese consul general and said that China is a brotherly country of Pakistan and relations between the two countries are very strong.

The CPEC projects are important for the economy of both countries.

The Chinese consul general said the majority of the projects of CPEC have been completed and Gwadar has become the most important in the region.

He apprised the Kati official that China has invested in various projects, including airport, training centre and Gwadar Port, while expressing his happiness that the power crisis of Pakistan has ended due to CPEC.

The development work of Gwadar Airport is 90 per cent completed and expressed the hope that by 2023, Gwadar Airport will start its operations.

Bijian said that a hospital is also being constructed in Gwadar and it is expected that it will also start functioning next year, adding that there are ample trade opportunities in China for Pakistani industrialists and investors.

China has a population of 500 million middle class, which could be a big market for Pakistan, he said, adding that Pakistan could export fruits and vegetables to China, while China has a large seafood market, including rice and fish from which Pakistani exporters could take full advantage.

In addition, cooperation between the two countries in the field of IT and electric vehicles could be further enhanced.

The consul general said the two countries could work out a strategy to increase Pakistan’s export volume through trade, urging Pakistani industrialists to take advantage of the free trade agreement between the two countries.

The Kati president said they would brief the Chinese Consulate on his proposals for increasing exports. Kati former president Danish Khan said that Chinese investors should set up industries in Pakistan and called for holding joint trade fairs with China to promote Pakistani products.

Farrukh Mazher said that every Pakistani considers the CPEC project important; however, the project is stalled, which is a matter of concern.

The ML-1 was also included in the CPEC project on which work has not started yet, he said, adding that inclusion of the Karachi Circular Railway in CPEC is also welcomed.

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