ISLAMABAD – Centre of Excellence-CPEC (CoE-CPEC) a think tank runs byPakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and the Ministry ofPlanning, Development & Reform (MoPDR) held a launching ceremony at SerenaHotel today of its publication, “CPEC and Pakistani Economy:
An Appraisal” which is a combined effort of H.E. Dr. Ishrat Husain andCentre of Excellence-CPEC, Islamabad to disseminate the most updated andauthentic information about CPEC. We are sure that this booklet will go along way by serving our effort to reach out all the relevant quarters andstakeholders including masses to know about the ongoing and futuristicprojects of CPEC.
Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing was the chief guest at theoccasion. Other officials were Shoaib A. Siddiqui, Secretary (MoPDR),Hassan Daud, Project Director (CPEC), Sumaira Nazir Siddiqui, SecretaryBoard of Investment, Dr Safdar A. Sohail, Director General (NationalInstitute of Management), Dr Shahid Rashid, Executive Director (CoE-CPEC).Other dignitaries, academicians, scholars and media personnel also gracedthe occasion.
Dr Shahid Rashid commenced the event with his note of thanks to Dr IshratHussain for writing this booklet and said it is a matter of honour forCOE-CPEC to publish the bunch of this insightful information which willprove to be an asset for CPEC policy-making and its implementers.
Shoaib A. Siddiqui, Secretary (MoPDR) thoroughly appreciated DR. IshratHussain endeavour’s to write such a masterpiece which is holistic in natureabout CPEC multifaceted aspects. He succinctly explained the chapters ofthe book and viewed that this is a must read study not only for thePakistanis but also the Chinese can take benefit and enhance their visionabout CPEC vitality for Pakistan and beyond.
Dr Ishrat Hussain deliberated upon the intention of writing this book,according to him; one of the common reservations expressed about CPEC isthat it lacks transparency and non-availability of complete information. Headded that the terms and conditions of financing at which the Chinesecompanies are participating in these projects are not fully known and thelikely future financing burden on Pakistan’s balance of payments is notobvious. There was also a very common question has been raised about thesocioeconomic benefits, particularly about job opportunities. This bookletattempts to address some of these issues to the extent that the projectshave been planned, agreed upon, finalized and implementation is underway.
Only approximately half of $ 45 billion committed originally for CPEC wouldbe utilized for these projects. Pakistan’s liability is therefore atpresent limited to this $ 23-25 billion only. Many other projects are atfeasibility stage, discussion or negotiation stage between the twogovernments or on hold. No amount has either been committed or disbursedfor these projects and the liability of Pakistan has not yet arisen.
Ms Sumaira Nazir Siddiqui, Secretary Board of Investment and Dr Safdar A.Sohail, Director General (National Institute of Management) also reflectedtheir thoughts about the booklet and lauded the importance of suchpublications by the COE-CPEC.
Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing concluded the session with a view that,” it isan immense pleasure for him to inaugurate this booklet which “Dr IshratHussain’s book is a great initiative to dispel the misconceptionspertaining CPEC”. He also appreciated the role of CoE-CPEC in policyshaping, evidence-based research work and other tasks in furtherance ofCPEC.