ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have decided to take the CPEC to the nextphase of implementation based upon the decisions taken in the 7th JCCmeeting.

Pakistan and China on Tuesday agreed to make all-out efforts to expediteearly launch of projects already signed and approved by Joint CoordinationCommittee on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

This assurance was made during a meeting between Deputy Chief Mission (DCM)of Chinese Embassy, Lijian Zhao and Secretary of Planning Shoaib AhmadSiddiqui here to discuss post 7th Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC)situation and way forward for expediting CPEC projects.

The meeting was also attended by Project Director CPEC Hassan Daud andofficials from Chinese embassy.

Both the officials reviewed progress on the CPEC initiatives and agreed onenhancing engagements in the light of decisions taken in 7th JCC meeting.

Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui on this occasion highlighted that officials from bothsides should play a proactive role to ensure early completion and executionof energy and transport infrastructure projects.

The secretary said the development of Special Economic Zones under CPEC hadentered into an important phase where focused efforts were underway toensure successful Pak-China industrial cooperation.

Both the officials expressed satisfaction over preparation for first GwadarExpo and inauguration of Gwadar Free Zone (Phase-1), planned to be held onJanuary 29 and 30, this month.

The expo has attracted huge interest of the local and internationalinvestors and so far over 120 companies have registered.