CPEC will generate enormous economic activity in Pakistan: Planning Minister

Islamabad: Pakistani Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar has said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will generate enormous economic activity in Pakistan.

He was talking to a delegation led by President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Muhammad Shakeel Munir.

The minister noted that the CPEC had started changing the lives in Pakistan with massive investments and generous job opportunities.

Asad Umar suggested that the existing industrial areas in Islamabad needed to expand to generate economic activity and employment.

He was optimistic that the new zone would also help increase revenue and generate precious foreign reserves in the shape of exports.

After a detailed discussion, the meeting decided in principle to create a new industrial zone for Islamabad.

The minister pointed out that being the capital, a model Industrial Estate was also needed in Islamabad to showcase the industrial development in the country for foreign visitors.

The ICCI representatives conveyed their views to the Federal Minister regarding the establishment of the new Islamabad Industrial Zone and discussed in detail the key features of the project.

Welcoming the newly elected ICCI delegation, Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar said that the provision of electricity, gas, water, and other basic amenities would be ensured in the industrial zone.

He maintained that this project would be a source of employment not only for people of Islamabad but also for the citizens of areas adjoining Islamabad and would be helpful for industrialization as well.

Khalid Javaid, Abdul Rauf, Tariq Sadiq, Shaban Khalid, and other representatives from ICCI attended the meeting.

According to an official statement, they also discussed developing the project under a public-private partnership (PPP) structure.