Pakistan, China to expedite development work on Gwadar social sector projects
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China agreed to expedite implementation of Gwadar projects, particularly development of Gwadar social sector projects, recommending New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA), China-Pakistan Friendship Hospital Gwadar and Vocational & Technical Institute as main deliverable to Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) to be held in Beijing next month.
During the meetings of Joint Working Groups (JWGs) of Gwadar and Planning held here via video conference, the two sides also agreed to promote socioeconomic development and finalize a way forward for future cooperation in order to ensure early identification and implementation of projects.
The meetings were co-chaired by Secretary Planning, Development & Reform (PD&R) Zafar Hasan and Director General National Development and Reform Commission of China XIA Qing.
Officials from line ministries, provincial governments and embassies attended the meetings.
Zafar Hasan said the government attaches top priority to development of Gwadar as a gateway of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that will open new avenues of cooperation between Pakistan and China.
Expressing satisfaction on progress of CPEC project, he said the government of Pakistan gives extreme importance to the development of Gwadar as a standalone.
“Both sides need to take immediate measures so that the city development's plans can be undertaken as per agreed timelines."
He also appreciated progress of Gwadar Free Zone, City Master Plan, Eastbay Expressway and development of port.
Zafar Hasan said CPEC in last five years have shown tremendous progress with the help of sound planning for a win-win outcome, to guarantee the expeditious, stable and sustainable development of CPEC.
He highlighted that the recent visit of the prime minister to China and the Joint communiqué heralds a new chapter in China-Pakistan relationship and CPEC.
He informed that the government of Pakistan looks forward to working with China in new areas focusing on socioeconomic development, cooperation in agriculture modernization, value chains, and poverty alleviation goals.
He mentioned that MoU for JWG on socioeconomic cooperation was approved during the visit of the prime minister.
“Within socio-economic development, the government is particularly focusing on education, medical treatment, poverty alleviation, water supply and vocational training” he added.
He remarked that the government of Pakistan is also keen to explore avenues of cooperation in agriculture sector such as cooperate in improving land related matter including land fragmentation, land consolidation, land settlement, land use zoning, land use planning, land pooling and cooperative farming, establish food processing industry in 9 Special Economic Zones under CPEC to boost food sector export, cooperate in conservation of genetic resources for livestock, poultry and aquatic products, conduct joint research, cooperate in field of water conservation and management through use of water efficient technologies.
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