Islamabad, 25 April 2024 (TDI): A high-level delegation of the Chinese International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), called on Prime Minister Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad.
Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister said China is Pakistan’s most trusted friend and appreciated China’s steadfast support to Pakistan.
Acknowledging CIDCA’s pivotal role in bolstering Pakistan’s economic development, the Prime Minister specifically commended CIDCA for its vital support during the 2022 floods and for its relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC-II) offered an opportunity to the private sectors of both countries to form joint ventures.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif underscored that CPEC has contributed to Pakistan’s socio-economic development as well as the progress and prosperity of the people of the two countries.
He hoped that the II of CPEC would result in more industrial, scientific, and green development.
CPEC-II is also an opportunity for the private sectors of both countries to form joint ventures, he added.
Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Jiang Zaidong also attended the meeting. Federal Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Economic Affairs, Finance, Interior, Planning & Development, SAPM Tariq Fatemi, and senior officials of Pakistan attended the meeting.
The Prime Minister witnessed the signing ceremony of four Memorandums of Understanding focusing on Flood Rehabilitation, Information and Communication Technologies, Juncao Technology, and China-Pakistan Development Cooperation Planning (2024-2028) alongside a Letter of Exchange on the establishment of a First Aid Centre in Balochistan, and Protocol on Cooperation in Human Resources Development under the Global Development Initiative.
These agreements signify the deepening cooperation between Pakistan and China across various sectors.
Also read: China says Pak-China alliance resilient against terrorism
Beijing has been one of Islamabad’s most reliable foreign partners in recent years, readily providing financial assistance to bail out its often-struggling neighbor.
In July last year, China granted Pakistan a two-year rollover on a $2.4 billion loan, giving the debt-saddled nation much-needed breathing space as it tackled a balance-of-payments crisis.
China has inked more than two trillion dollars in contracts around the world under its Belt and Road investment scheme, with billions pouring into infrastructure projects in Pakistan.
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