*ISLAMABAD: *Pakistan and China have agreed to expedite the implementationof industrial cooperation under the China Pakistan Economic Corridorframework so as to ensure speedy development of special economic zones inPakistan.
A meeting between the officials of the Board of Investment (BoI) and theNational Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China, was held onFriday at the BOI. The meeting was jointly chaired by BOI Secretary OmerRasul and NDRC Deputy Director General Gao Jian.
BOI Secretary Omer Rasul briefed the NDRC delegation regarding the stepsbeing taken by Pakistan side to ensure speedy implementation of industrialcooperation.
He said projects in energy and road infrastructure sectors have startedcommercial operations following the completion of the CPEC’s first phase,adding that in the second phase, Pakistan is ready to enhance industrialcooperation with China as envisioned.
He intimated that the groundbreaking of Rashakai Special Economic Zone(SEZ) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is planned for next month.
“Two more SEZs; China Special Economic Zone at Dhabeji in Sindh and AllamaIqbal Industrial City in Faisalabad would follow a similar pattern ofdevelopment,” he added.
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He said the government has alerted all the line ministries while sufficientfunds have been allocated for the provision of utilities at the SEZs.
He underscored the need for creating a government-to-government (G2G)framework so as to give a firm push to industrial cooperation.
The delegation of NDRC appreciated Pakistan’s efforts and said that theChinese investors are willing to invest in the development and populationof SEZs under CPEC.
Gao Jian declared industrial cooperation as the real focus of CPEC thatcould help the country develop its industrial cluster based on itspotentials.
