CPEC 10th JCC to be held next week: Khalid Mansoor

Islamabad: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on CPEC Khalid Mansoor said on Monday that Pakistan was committed to take forward the journey of development under the second phase of China China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) at fast speed by making it a safe and secure corridor to enhance bilateral trade ties.

He said he was very optimist about the mega project as the Chinese authorities had agreed to hold the 10th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on 23rd or 24th of current month.

Addressing his maiden press conference here after taking his new charge, the SAPM said security was a big concern for the Chinese and to upraise the Chinese confidence, he briefed the Chinese Authorities about overall security situation assuring that additional security measures had been taken by the government.

Chief Executives of eight companies established in Faisalabad Industrial Estate and Manufacturing Company (FIEDMC)-the CPEC prioritized Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Punjab- were also present on the occasion.

The 10th annual meeting of Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on CPEC was earlier scheduled on July 16, 2021 but was postponed due to certain security issues in the country.

Khalid Mansoor said there were nine Joint Working Groups (JWGs) of the JCC in various sectors including Agriculture, Energy, Infrastructure, Science and Technology and others and various new projects in all these sectors would come under consideration in the meeting.

He said the international forces who were against the mega project would fail in their nefarious designs.

Mansoor said the first phase brought an investment of $25 billion out of which $13 billion worth of project had been completed while the rest $12 billion projects were in the pipeline and were likely to be completed within a year.

The magnitude of second phase, he said was huge as a variety of sectors were involved which would attract huge foreign investment besides thousands of news jobs for locals.

He said the first SEZ under CPEC-FIEDMC was functional for last three years and during that period, number of Chinese companies had brought investment of $845 million in total.

“The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Chinese companies met with the Prime Minister today and informed him about the progress of their companies,” he added.

He said a Chinese company who makes prefabricated homes has established its set up in the FIEDC with an investment of $20 million and it would start making homes in Pakistan very soon.

Further he said another company has established its electric bikes and three wheelers manufacturing plant in the SEZ at an area of 5 acres and it has also started its production

Likewise a Chinese company has established an LED bulb manufacturing plant with an investment of $18 million. Another ceramic tiles’ manufacturing Chinese company has also set up its plant with $300 million at an area of 120 acres, he added. Similarly an international mobile company OPPO had also set up its plant in the SEZ.

He said a Chinese company “Challenge” who prepares high value apparel for world renowned companies such as Adidas, Rebook and American Eagle had also established its plant which had recorded $150 million exports during previous year while it aimed at increasing the level of export up to $450 million in one year.

He said the CPEC Authority would provide one window for the Chinese investors to facilitate them. The four prioritized SEZs, Rashakai in KPk, FIEDMC in Punjab, Dhabeji in Sindh and Gwadar in Balochistan would be provided Plug and Play execution environment to ensure speedy development of industrial sector, he added.

To a question, the SAPM said an action plan had been made to resolve the issues in the projects that were facing delays.

He said since CPEC was of national importance all political parties had showed full support on this project.

To another question, Mansoor said for setting up industrial units in FIEDMC, the Chinese investors were allowed both options either to get the land on lease or to purchase the land on ownership basis.

Replying to another question, he said complete transparency was ensured in all the projects under CPEC. “I have been involved in power projects worth of over $5 billion but I never have witnessed any kickbacks in the projects”.

He also dispelled the impression that Chinese companies were importing labour from China saying that a large number of Pakistanis were recruited in the CPEC projects and they were also being given skilled training.

Chinese investment to open up immense job opportunities: PM

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said the government would extend utmost assistance to the foreign investors and expressed confidence that the Chinese investment in Pakistan would open up immense employment opportunities.

The prime minister expressed these views in a meeting with heads of the Chinese companies. China’s ambassador Nong Rong, federal minister Hammad Azhar, Shaukat Tareen and Asad Umer, and Commerce Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistant CPEC Khalid Mansoor and senior officials were also present.

The prime minister said the government was focusing on the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ policy and was extending facilities to investors.

He said Pakistan could learn a lot from China in terms of industrial development, particularly in areas of agriculture, fisheries, vegetables and fruits, high-yielding livestock and information technology.

The delegation appreciated the investor-friendly policies of the government of Pakistan and expressed keen interest in investing in the country.