The Government of Pakistan and China during the 6th Meeting of Joint Working Group on Gwadar under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) expressed satisfaction on steady progress made on various projects.
The meeting reviewed the implementation status of the CPEC projects in Gwadar and deliberated upon the future course of action with regard to development of Gwadar city, Port and the free zone.
The 6th Session of the JWG on Gwadar was co-chaired by Secretary Ministry of Planning Development & Special Initiatives (MoPDSI) Abdul Aziz Uqaili and Ying Xiong, Director General of the National Development and Reforms Commission of China. Various Pakistani and Chinese officials from concerned departments and ministries also participated in the meeting.
JWG showed satisfaction over the full operationalization of Gwadar Port and its inclusion in the Afghan Transit Trade route; finalization of the Smart Port City Master Plan; completion of the Pak-China Technical & Vocational Institute; substantial progress on Eastbay Expressway; commencement of work on New Gwadar International Airport and the Pak-China Friendship Hospital.
During the meeting, it was noted that Gwadar Free Zone Phase -1 had been successfully completed, while work on the much larger Phase-2 covering an area of 2221 acres had been started. The meeting emphasized the finalization of the Marketing and Investment Plan for the Free Zone along with its implementation strategy. The meeting was informed that the Plan would soon be submitted for consideration of the Cabinet Committee on CPEC.
Chinese enterprises, including Zhejiang DRC, China Communication Construction Company, Zhejiang Seaport and Huazhang Technology made presentations during the meeting on their planned investments in Low Carbon Recycling Park, within the Gwadar Free Zone. The Pakistan side assured the investors of full support and cooperation for their ventures.
To review the progress of current projects and deliberated on potential new projects to enhance cooperation in the Socio-Economic Development under CPEC, the 3rd meeting of JWG on Socio-Economic Development under CPEC was also held on Thursday.
The JWG meeting was held under the co-chairmanship of Secretary MoPDSI Abdul Aziz Uqaili and Deng Boqing, Chairman, China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA).
During the meeting, both sides expressed satisfaction on steady progress of the 1st Batch (17 Fast Track) projects of and 2nd Batch (10 Priority) projects despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Pakistan thanked the Government and people of China for their generous support to Pakistan for tackling the Covid-19 Pandemic, especially the timely supply of vaccines. The Pakistani convener also thanked the Chinese counterparts for their support and assistance to the Government of Pakistan for socio economic development. Chairman of CIDCA (Convener of China) reiterated China’s strong support for the people and Government of Pakistan and stated that the two iron brothers have always helped & supported each other. He recalled Pakistan’s support to China in the early phase of the pandemic and stated that such help is highly valued.
Pakistan shared the proposed 3rd Batch of projects for consideration of Chinese counterparts. The projects were finalized after due consultations with stakeholders including all Provinces, AJK and Gilgit Baltistan. It was decided to further enhance bilateral cooperation and implementation mechanisms by constituting sub-committees at the working level on both sides.
The Group was established in November 2018 under the CPEC framework to ensure that economic dividends of CPEC projects reach the less developed areas and peoples’ livelihood are improved.
