*ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Reform MakhdumKhusro Bakhtyar on Monday chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee onChina-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to review progress on variousprojects being undertaken under the CPEC framework.*
Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed, Minister for Maritime AffairsAli Zaidi, Advisor to PM on Commerce, Textile and Industry Abdul RazzakDawood, DCPC Dr Jahanzeb Khan, Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan, secretariesof different ministries, members Planning Commission and senior officialsfrom provincial governments were in attendance.
The secretary planning gave a detailed presentation on various projectsunder the CPEC framework.
The Committee decided that discussion with regard to financing of ML-1project should be commenced to finalise the mode and PC-1 of the project.
Bakhtyar reiterated that it is a very important project under CPECportfolio and the incumbent government is committed to fast track it.
He apprised that CPEC is now entering into the next phase with theincorporation of new additional areas and for this purpose, there is a needfor an integrated entity in the form of CPEC Authority.
It was decided that the draft act of the Authority will be presented to thefederal cabinet for approval.
The committee held detailed discussions on various projects under CPEC ininfrastructure, energy and other areas. About Rashakai Special EconomicZone, it was apprised that negotiations on Development Agreement are infinal stages with CRBC.
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The committee issued directives for ensuring early provision of utilitiesto Rashakai SEZ on priority so that groundbreaking could be performed nextmonth.
The Minister for Planning said that the government is committed toproviding incentives for SEZ’s including 100% repatriation of profits.
The committee also decided to present land-use plan for Gwadar Smart Portcity to the federal cabinet after incorporating recommendations of theBalochistan provincial government.
Energy projects, including 300 MW Gwadar Coal Power Plant, KohalaHydropower Project (1124 MW) and Thar coal projects, Infrastructureprojects including Multan-Sukkur Motorway and Orange Line Train projectwere also deliberated upon.
The committee was apprised that Multan-Sukkur Motorway will be inauguratedsoon. The civil works on Orange Line Train Project will be completed byDecember this year.
Bakhtyar emphasised that all stakeholders should resolve all pending issuespertaining to CPEC projects at the earliest to accrue maximum benefits fromthe forthcoming Joint Cooperation Committee. It was decided to convene nextmeeting of the Cabinet Committee on CPEC in September.
