OCTOBER 2020 CPEC NEWS SUMMARY

OCTOBER 2020 CPEC NEWS SUMMARY

CPEC vital for the development of the whole region: President Alvi

While giving an interview to a private news channel, the President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi emphasized on the importance of CPEC and appreciated the role it will play in the growth and development of the whole region. He said that after completion of CPEC, Afghanistan will witness an era of peace. It is worthy to note that the Pak-Aghan transit trade has already been started this year through Gwadar port. President Dr. Arif Alvi has urged the nation to demonstrate unity in dealing with newly faced challenges like hybrid war to destabilize the country through religious fragmentation.

In an interview with a private news channel, he said plotting hybrid war against Pakistan is aimed at destabilizing the country economic conditions.

Condemning the verbal attacks on national institutions, he appealed the political forces of the country not to become tool in the hands of the enemy in this hybrid war. He said any such action of political forces can harm the national cause.

The President said the development of whole region depends on establishment of peace in Afghanistan as it will promote trade and CPEC will play a vital role in it.

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CPEC has changed the future of Pakistan

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has changed or reshaped the future of Pakistan, by creating lots of business opportunities, said Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) President Nasir Mirza. In an interview to the China Economic Net, Mirza said China is a time-tested friend of Pakistan and both countries are enjoying brotherly relations. He said road infrastructure under CPEC is one of the great achievements in Pakistan as it has reduced the distance between cities, which is essential and beneficial for business activities.

Talking about the Rashakai Economic Zone, the RCCI president said once the economic zone is functional, everyone will see the boom in commercial activities in this region. He said the business community has started looking for new ventures even before the completion of the Special Economic Zone.

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SEZs under CPEC to boost economic growth: Buzdar

chief minister of Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar while speaking to the elected president of Dera Ghazi Khan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DGCCI) Khawaja Jalaluddin Roomi he said that special economic zones under CPEC will prove to be the harbinger of economic growth for underdeveloped regions. Moreover, he said that industrial setups in these SEZs will create a lot of employment opportunities for the locals. Till now, 13 industrial zones have been proposed for Punjab province.

Chief Minister of Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar said that Special Economic Zones under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will bring an economic and industrial revolution in the underdeveloped areas. He said that the SEZs will create a flood of jobs for the local residents and also eliminate unemployment.

He said 13 Special Economic Zones will be set up to introduce industrial revolution in the largest province of Pakistan.

“New jobs will be created in South Punjab by promoting industrial and business sectors in backward areas. Planning has been done to set up the country’s largest Industrial Zone in Muzaffargarh to change the economic landscape of the area,” the CM was quoted as saying in an official statement.

Buzdar said that employment opportunities would be generated especially in south Punjab by promoting the industrial sector as there was huge potential for industry and trade in the backward areas.

He said that a business friendly environment had been provided for the business and industrial community.

The CM said that land would be provided for building of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in DG Khan and Punjab Small Industries Corporation would soon be inaugurated in the region as well. “Backward areas would bring at par with the developed ones through Small and Medium industries,” he added.

He said the Allama Iqbal Industrial City to be established in Faisalabad under the CPEC would be stretched on more than 3,000 acres of land and generate employment opportunities for 300,000 youths.

Khwaja Jalaluddin Roomi promised to promote industries and commerce in the region. He lauded the vision and efforts of the Punjab government for promotion of industries and trade and said that exports were being increased due to the provision of business friendly environment in Punjab.

The business community appreciates the Corona Relief Package and other economic initiatives of the Punjab government, he added.

Roomi said that DG Khan Chamber would extend full cooperation to the government for development of social sector in the backward areas of Southern Punjab which will reap the benefits of the CPEC projects sponsored by Iron Brother China.

“Trader community would also cooperate in the health and education projects of the Punjab government in the border areas of Balochistan in Koh-e-Suleman,” he said.

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Mushahid Invites Sri Lanka to benefit from CPEC Connectivity

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed whle addressing to the publication ceremony of the Pakistan Srilanka Free Trade Agreement which was hosted by the Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), He invited Srilanka to benefit from the CPEC Project and in this regard he called for engaging the private sector of both the countries to utilize the highlighted trade potential available in each country. 

The Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has launched the Publication on the ‘Pakistan Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement’ to enhance bilateral trade and promoting free trade between the two countries.

In a publication launching ceremony hosted by FPCCI in Islamabad, chairman Senate foreign affairs committee, Mushahid Hussain Sayed draws the attention towards the potential available in Religious Tourism and exchange in the cultural heritage of both countries. 

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Government gives green signal to Gwadar International Airport

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) has approved, in principle, the New Gwadar International Airport project at a cost of Rs55.4 billion. It would be built with the help of Pakistan government funds and a Chinese grant of 1.52 billion yuan or Rs34 billion. The development of this airport will prove to be very important for the development of the Gwadar Port and Gwadar free zone.

The Ministry of Planning is now gradually taking back the control of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) after the CPEC Authority law lapsed four months ago.

The government has also brought back Hassan Dawood Butt to handle affairs in the next CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting. JCC is scheduled to meet this month and will take important decisions on future roadmap of the multibillion-dollar strategic bilateral initiative.

The original Gwadar airport project had been approved at a cost of Rs7.5 billion in 2010 and the revised one was cleared in 2015 at a cost of Rs22.2 billion. The CDWP approved the second revision on Monday with a cost of Rs55.4 billion, higher by Rs33 billion or 147% than the 2015 cost.

The CDWP directed the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to review the possibility of cutting the construction cost of buildings to be used by the Airport Security Force (ASF) and the CAA. For the ASF camp, Rs9.9 billion, and for the CAA Residential Complex, Rs2.7 billion, have been included in the project construction cost. In the current fiscal year’s Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), the government has allocated only Rs519 million for the construction of the project.

At the time of approval of the original PC-I in January 2010, the dollar was at Rs85 against the rupee. The PML-N government made the first revision in January 2015 as part of the CPEC project and then the dollar strengthened to Rs100. Now, the PTI government has proposed the second revision and the dollar value jumped to Rs155.1 in May this year when documents were submitted in the Planning Commission for scrutiny.

Oman is giving a $17.5 million grant while China is providing a grant of 1.67 billion yuan. The share of Chinese grant in total construction cost is 63.3%.

The existing airport is capable of handling only small aircraft while the new airport is being designed to cater to needs of large Airbus A-380 aircraft. In total, the CDWP approved eight projects worth Rs36 billion and recommended another eight of Rs288 billion to Ecnec.

The CDWP cleared the construction of Gwadar-Ratodero Road worth Rs38 billion, according to a Ministry of Planning statement. It also recommended the upgrading, widening and construction of Surab-Hoshab Road N-85 worth Rs28.8 billion to Ecnec for approval.

The Gwadar-Ratodero project, originally approved in 1999, had been presented by the last PML-N government as the “western route”. The project involves construction of a 484.7km road, which will be a two-lane single carriageway.

The original PC-I had been approved for construction of 891.7km road but the scope has now been reduced to 484.7 km. The CDWP recommended the Sindh Resilience Project worth Rs15.3 billion to Ecnec. Project objective is to enhance resilience to natural disasters, including public health emergency response and resource management during public health emergencies.

The Solid Waste Emergency and Efficiency Project worth Rs17.7 billion was referred to Ecnec. The project will finance intervention that will be implemented in two phases.

The construction of a new building of the Supreme Court Branch registry in Karachi costing Rs4.4 billion was approved in the meeting. The CDWP also approved the construction of Dirgi Shahbozai-Tounsa Sharif Road worth Rs9 billion. It sent the Flood Protection Sector Project worth Rs96 billion to Ecnec for approval.

New law to give immunity to CPEC Authority from NAB, FIA

In this short article, the federal government decided to introduce a new law to replace the defunct China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority Ordinance. Cabinet Committee for Legislation Affairs has approved the proposed draft of the law under which CPEC Authority chairman and other officers will have immunity from investigations of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

According to the proposed bill, few of the powers of the CPEC Authority chairman will be curtailed. The post of chief executive officer will be eliminated if the new law is enacted by the government. The bill further stated that CPEC Authority will report directly to the prime minister instead of the Ministry of Planning and Development.

It further stated CPEC chairman’s authority to form a business council should be abolished, adding, the Board of Investment will notify the council. 

Last year in October, President Arif Alvi had promulgated “The CPEC Authority Ordinance, 2019” for the establishment of the ‘China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority (CPECA)’.

On January 30, 2020, the National Assembly adopted a resolution moved by Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Development Kanwal Shauzab to extend the CPECA ordinance 2019 (XII of 2019) for a period of 120 days. The CPEC Authority Ordinance does not exist anymore as it was not extended by the government.

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Governor Punjab appreciates the Navy for securing Gwadar and CPEC sea route

In this particular article, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar congratulated Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi on assuming office and appreciated the role of the Pakistan Navy in securing the Gwadar port and maritime trade route. He said that the Pakistan Navy has the best professional skills and the world appreciates the performance of the Navy in protecting prime national interests.

According to details, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi called on Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar at Governor’s House Lahore on Tuesday. During the meeting, issues of mutual interest and professional activities of the Pakistan Navy were discussed.

He appreciated the services of Pakistan Navy in the field of education and health are also commendable. Governor said that the Pakistan Navy had provided selfless assistance to the people during natural calamities. The Pakistan Navy is capable of repelling the enemy. The Pakistan Navy has rendered immense services for the defense of the country. The whole nation is proud of the bravery and courage of the Pakistan Navy.

Pakistan Navy is playing an important role in protecting the country’s economic interests by providing security to Gwadar Port and CPEC. He hoped that the Pakistan Navy under the leadership of Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi will successfully overcome the maritime challenges being faced by the country.

Chaudhry Sarwar said that the enemies should not be in any kind of misunderstanding. Those who conspire to harm Pakistan will never succeed. By the grace of Allah Almighty, 22 crore people are standing by the side of their army. He said the Pakistan Army is fulfilling its professional responsibilities with utmost success, and goodwill, while Naval Chief Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi said that the soldiers of Pakistan Army are protecting the borders, beaches, plains and mountains of the beloved homeland through faith, force, and abilities.

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China’s investment in Pakistan SEZs will help in industrial uplift: Cheng Xizhong

According to the news, a visiting professor at Southwest University of Political Science and Law Cheng Xizhong urged Chinese enterprises to invest in Pakistan to convert Pakistan’s dream of industrialization a reality. Chinese investment will prove critical in improving the production and export capacity of the proposed special economic zones. Moreover, he urged China to share its experience of special economic zones with Pakistan so that Pakistan should have a roadmap to a successful industrial modernization.

Recently, three new SEZs are formally approved by the Board of Approvals (BOA), headed by the Prime Minister Imran Khan, taking the total number to 20.

These three SEZs include National Science & Technology Park, Islamabad, JW-SEZ China-Pakistan SEZ in Punjab, and Dhabeji SEZ in Sindh, Cheng, also a senior fellow of the Chahar Institute said in his article published by China Economic Net (CEN).

Prime Minister Imran Khan said that “I remember that in March 2020, the Pakistani government approved ten SEZs in four provinces, including five in Punjab, two each in Sindh and Balochistan and one in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. After half a year, the number of SEZs in Pakistan has increased to 20, which shows that the federal government of Pakistan attaches great importance to the development of SEZs, and that local governments at all levels all are striving for the construction of SEZs.”

Cheng said that speeding up the construction of SEZs can promote Pakistan’s industrialization and modernization. 

It will enhance the production and export capacity of industrial products. Introduce foreign capital, advanced technology and management experience. It will create a large number of employment opportunities and will accelerate the economic development of specific regions and form a new industrial structure and social economic structure, which will drive the economic development of the whole country.

China may unreservedly share its experience with Pakistan on SEZ development. Chinese industrial enterprises should invest in Pakistan’s SEZs and cooperate with Pakistani partner to help improve its production and export capacity of industrial products.

What is urgently needed is to build two or three SEZs first, and then put them into operation immediately, so as to produce economic benefits and demonstration effects. To realize industrialization and modernization is the only way for Pakistan to eliminate poverty, enhance its position of strength and safeguard its national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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 Megaprojects under CPEC in KPK to initiate sustainable development: CM KPK

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan discussed the inclusion of mega projects under CPEC in KPK during a meeting with federal Ministers Asad Umar, Murad Saeed, Umar Ayub, and Special Assistant to PM Nadeem Babar. The projects that were on top priority were Peshawar to D.I. Khan Motorway, Dir Motorway, Swat Motorway, and Mega Hydel Power Projects of the province. Ministers assured CM KPK that these projects will be included in CPEC.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan called on the Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Thursday to discuss priority projects of Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for inclusion in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) portfolio.

Senior officials from federal and provincial governments attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed projects of energy, infrastructure, communications and agriculture sectors.The Minister directed that project proposals may be refined and finalized to ensure their early processing.

He said that the respective Joint Working Groups (JWGs) should discuss the projects and accord them due priority.

The minister said that the federal government would continue to consult the provincial governments for prioritizing various projects under the CPEC umbrella.

He thanked the chief minister for proactively pursuing implementation of various projects.

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CPEC joint working group adopts three road projects

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Joint Working Group on Transport Infrastructure adopted three major road projects in Pakistan during the eighth meetings of the group held virtually. The two sides were led by Pakistan’s Communications Secretary Zafar Hasan and China’s Vice Minister of Transport Dai Dongchang, also received briefings on the railway projects. Both the sides described the online meeting as successful and result-oriented.

After deliberations, the meeting adopted the construction of a motorway from Peshawar to DI Khan (320 kilometers), Swat Expressway from Chakdara to Fatehpur Phase-II (182 kilometers) and Dir Expressway (30 kilometers), said a statement issued by the communication ministry.

The Pakistan side gave a briefing on the Mainline (ML)-1 project, Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), Peshawar Circular Railway (PCR) and Quetta Mass Transit Project. Chitral-Shandoor-Gilgit, Nokundi-Mashkhel-Panjgur and Mirpur-Muzaffarabad-Mansehra projects were also brought under discussion.

During the meeting, Communication Secretary Zafar Hasan proposed the inclusion of the Chitral to Chakdara Highway (N-45), connecting the Swat Motorway to Col Sher Khan Interchange on M-1, as part of CPEC Western Route.

He also said that the Pakistan government was planning for the remaining sections of the Gwadar-Ratodero Motorway (M-8). He called for study of parts of the Karakoram Highway affected by landslide so that remedial measures could be devised to ensure smooth flow of traffic.

National Highway Authority (NHA) Chairman Capt (retd) Sikander Qayyum informed the meeting that the Sukkur-Multan Motorway and the Havelian-Thakot Motorway projects had been completed in record time with quality construction.

He said 136-kilometre-long Thakot-Raikot section of the Karakoram Highway was an important link and that terms of reference (TORs) had been approved for hiring consultant for re-alignment. He stressed the need for the upgradation of DI Khan-Zhob section on a priority basis.

“CPEC is the vision of leadership of both the neighbouring countries,” Secretary Hasan told the participants. He termed the meeting meaningful and expressed the hope that it would remain successful in achieve its objectives.

DAI Dongchang said that the cooperation in the construction sector was expanding gradually between the two countries, which “will accelerate pace of development” in Pakistan. He desired to realise CPEC schemes with quality construction through mutual cooperation.

He appreciated the progress and commitment of Pakistan on the CPEC projects. “China wants to enhance the scope of CPEC by including a few more projects,” he said, and described the video link meeting as result-oriented.

The representatives of the Foreign Office, CPEC Authority, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), railways and maritime affairs ministries, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan governments were also present during the meeting.

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Date : 
Wednesday 11 November 2020
Author : 
Admin
Source : 
Globbiz Admin
Tag : 
Investement in Gwadar,