ISLAMABAD – China’s Acting Ambassador to Pakistan Zhao Lijian saysChina-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a flagship project under China’s Beltand Road Initiative and the Chinese government is presenting it as the bestpractice under BRI framework.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Pakistan’s Chief Correspondent AbdulHadi Mayar, he said the largest number of projects have been completedunder CPEC in a short span of time.
The Ambassador said eleven projects have been completed under CPEC duringthe last six years, and eleven others are under construction. Besides, hesaid, there are many other projects in the pipeline.
He said CPEC has four priorities, including power plants, infrastructuredevelopment, renovation of Gwadar Port, and industrial development.
Zhao Lijan said foundation for industrial development was laid during thelast five years by addressing infrastructure and energy issues in Pakistan.
He said in the next stage, industrial development in Pakistan is beingdiscussed.
The Ambassador said nine areas have been identified for developing SpecialEconomic Zones across Pakistan.
He said three projects, including Rashakai, Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Park,and Dhabeji Special Economic Zone have been prioritized.
He expressed confidence that groundbreaking of Rashakai Special EconomicZone will be performed soon after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s ongoing visitto China.
Zhao Lijian said Special Economic Zones will significantly contribute tooverall economic development of Pakistan by enhancing its foreign exchangereserves and exports.
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The Acting Chinese Ambassador said on conclusion of the ongoing Belt andRoad Forum, the two countries are likely to sign joint statement on MainLine-I project of doubling railway line from Karachi to Peshawar.
To a question, he said CPEC is a project of regional economic developmentand any third party participation will be welcomed in it.
He said third party participation is already involved in CPEC in form offunding of Karot Hydropower project by World Bank and engagement of Qataricompanies in various projects.
Responding to a question about the second phase of Free Trade Agreement,which is likely to be finalized between the two countries soon, Zhao Lijiansaid Pakistan is among the first countries with whom China is signing FreeTrade Agreement.
He said the two sides have been engaged to upgrade the existing FTA, and tothis effect, the eleventh and last round of talks is going to take place.
The Ambassador said under the new FTA, Chinese government is offeringninety percent of market share to Pakistanis goods into Chinese market. Hesaid China is asking for sixty-five percent of the market access toPakistan at zero tariff rate. He said the new FTA is very much in favor ofPakistan.
Answering a question about the ongoing Belt and Road Forum in Beijing , theAmbassador said the objective of the forum is to develop consensus amongstakeholders how to push forward Belt and Road Initiative.
