Islamabad, 9 May 2022 (TDI): The Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, met with the Chinese business investors working on CPEC projects to address their concerns and accelerate the projects.
The meeting, which was headed by the PD&SI Minister, took place on Monday at the ministry. The Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Secretary PD&SI, Secretary Ministry of Communication, Secretary Interior, and other important stakeholders were present at the meeting.
وفاقی وزیر برائے منصوبہ بندی احسن اقبال کی سی پیک پر کام کرنے والی چینی کمپنیوں کے سربراہان کے ساتھ جائزہ اجلاس کی صدارت, اجلاس میں ڈپٹی چئیرمین پلاننگ کمیشن ، سیکرٹری منصوبہ بندی اور تمام وزارتوں کے سیکرٹیرز سمیت سینئیر افسران کی شرکت pic.twitter.com/YhlStgLsSK
— M/o Planning Development & Special Initiatives (@PlanComPakistan) May 9, 2022
Over thirty Chinese firms with operations in Pakistan were represented at the event. These include the firms in the areas of energy, communication, railways, and others,
The discussion went over three hours. Chinese investors praised the minister’s direct involvement with them since taking office. They further expressed hope that all concerns would be overcome to complete the CPEC projects. These projects have been stalled for over 3 years.
Addressing the concerns:
CPEC is a hallmark project of friendship between the two brotherly nations, according to the Minister. He further told them that the existing administration has taken many initiatives to ensure the project’s success.
پاک چین اقتصادی راہداری دونوں ممالک کی دوستی کا شاہکار منصوبہ ہے ، سی پیک کی کامیابی دونوں اطراف کے تعاون سے ممکن ہوئی. وفاقی وزیر برائے منصوبہ بندی, احسن اقبال pic.twitter.com/v7rNRUskFm
— M/o Planning Development & Special Initiatives (@PlanComPakistan) May 9, 2022
“The key objective is to directly listen to the problems of Chinese companies working on CPEC and to resolve the issues without further delay,” the minister said. He also assured them that the coalition government will accelerate the pace of CPEC, as it did in 2013.
Measures to resolve the problems:
All the Chinese investors shared their concerns about government offices and visas in the meeting with the minister. While responding immediately, the Minister instructed the affected ministries to produce a full report on the issues. The report will help in addressing the concerns of the investors.
The Minister asked the Power Division, NEPRA, and the NTDC to make proposals in order to settle the concerns with Chinese power investors. “CPEC has to be implemented in spirit of teamwork as both China and Pakistan are iron brothers and all parties have to sit together and to resolve all the pending problems in the same spirit to make the CPEC project successful,” he said.
وفاقی وزیر احسن اقبال کی پاور ڈویژن، نیپرا اور این ٹی ڈی سی کو جلد از جلد مسائل کے حل کے لیے تجاویز پیش کرنے اور 2013 والے جذبے کے ساتھ سی پیک منصوبوں کی رفتار پر کام کرنے کی ہدایات۔ pic.twitter.com/4cag3ufDhg
— M/o Planning Development & Special Initiatives (@PlanComPakistan) May 9, 2022
Concerning the visas, the minister instructed the Ministry of Interior, the Board of Investment, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop a comprehensive framework to resolve their visa problems. The minister emphasized the necessity of making it easier for international investors and businesses to do business in the country. Moreover, he requested that the Ministry of Interior create a visa policy for CEOs of large corporations.
The minister also urged the National Highway Authority NHA to expedite highway construction at the meeting.
Expressing concern over the lack of development:
He expressed concern over the lack of development in the Gwadar Smart City Master Plan. He stated that it was regrettable that the Gwadar Smart City Master Plan had not been merged with the Gawadar Seaport Master Plan for the past two years. The minister ordered the parties involved to go to work right away and deliver a report.
گزشتہ چار سالوں میں گوادر کو لا پرواہی سے پسنی بنا دیا گیا اور گزشتہ دو سالوں میں گوادر ماسٹر پلان سٹی کا نقشہ، گوادر بندرہ گاہ سے منسلک تک نہیں کیا گیا۔ وفاقی وزیر برائے منصوبہ بندی احسن اقبال pic.twitter.com/Dg8zcQlt1W
— M/o Planning Development & Special Initiatives (@PlanComPakistan) May 9, 2022
The Minister voiced his dissatisfaction with the lack of resolution of the remaining concerns faced by Chinese investors over the last four years. According to him, this has hampered the CPEC Plan’s development.
