China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) | Updates & Discussions

[Muhammad Omar]

E-35 Updates

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Parliamentary Committee on CPEC meets in Islamabad



ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Committee on CPEC met in Islamabad on Friday under the chairmanship of Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed.

Finance Minister of Sind Syed Murad Ali Shah was deputed by the Sindh Chief Minister to represent the Sindh government and present the perspective of the province regarding CPEC issues.

He presented the case for establishing a port at Keti Bandar as a special terminal for the export of coal which would be mined at Thar as well as a rail link and Special Economic Zone. Senator Mushahid Hussain directed the Ministry of Ports and Shipping to have consultation between the experts of the Sindh government to examine the feasibility of the project so that Thar could become the future energy power house.

On the issue of the Sukhi Kenari hydel power project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee constituted a 2-member sub-committee to coordinate both with the provincial and federal government to resolve the issue at the earliest.


CPEC TO BRING RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN: ENVOY

KARACHI: The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and other regional developments would bring rapid economic progress in Pakistan.

This was stated by Ambassador of Argentina, Rodolf J. Martin Saravia, while speaking at Meet the Editors Programme held here on Thursday. The programme was organized by the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE).

The Envoy while appreciating the determination and resilience of the Pakistanis said that they are very hospitable people.

He said that CPEC and other regional developments will result in rapid economic progress in Pakistan.

He also called for exchange of delegations of journalists between Pakistan and Argentina.

He further said that two governments also collaborating in energy, health and other sectors.

The envoy said that Pakistan has rendered immense sacrifices in the fight against terror and significance success of operation of Zarb-Azb is being acknowledged the world over.

The Honorary Consul General of Paraguay, Kanwar M. Tariq, also spoke on the occasion.


Army committed to provide security for CPEC project: COAS

General Raheel Sharif visited the newly raised Special Security Division (SSD) for security of CPEC.
RAWALPINDI (Web Desk) – Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Friday reiterated Pak Army’s commitment to provide security for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the work force involved, terming this to be a game changer for Pakistan which has the potential to transform the lives of people of the country.

He stated this during visit to headquarters of the newly raised Special Security Division (SSD) for security of CPEC.

On arrival, the COAS was received by Lieutenant General Malik Zafar Iqbal and Major General Abid Rafique, Commander SSD.

He was given a detailed briefing on the progress of raising of the force and wide ranging security aspects of CPEC.

General Raheel Sharif emphasized the need to ensure a peaceful environment to be able to push all the planned developmental projects.

He said: “We are totally aware of all campaigns against the Corridor.”

The Army Chief vowed that the security forces are ready to pay any price to turn this long cherished dream into reality.

He instructed that all possible measures must be taken in coordination with law enforcement agencies and other stake holders to make CPEC a success and beneficial for all and sundry.

The CPEC, a network of roads, railways and pipelines, involves energy and infrastructure projects linking the neighbors economies and creating an "economic corridor" between Pakistan‘s Gwadar port and China‘s western Xinjiang region.

 

[SBD-3]

After KPK, Sindh opens a new pendora box.

 

[S.U.R.B.]

After KPK, Sindh opens a new pendora box.

Time to hold a placard ," Don't kill CPEC".

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Time to hold a placard ," Don't kill CPEC".

He Said it

Gen Raheel says army will turn CPEC dream into reality | Page 2

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Undergoing Work on Karachi Hyderabad Motorway M-9

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Pakistan, China ink accord to build 350 MW coal power plant in Karachi

The work on the plant, having a capacity of 350 MW, will start in July, which will be completed in 31 months.
Pakistan and China have signed a contract to build a coal-fired power plant near the Bin Qasim port in Karachi.
The work on the plant, having a capacity of 350 MW, will start in July, which will be completed in 31 months.

The agreement was signed between China’s state-owned Harbin Electric Corporation and Pakistan Siddiqsons Energy.


CPEC rapidly moving towards completion: Shahbaz Sharif

The Chief Minister said that CPEC holds importance of a game changer for Pakistan
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Chief Minister (CM) Shahbaz Sharif has said that different projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are rapidly moving towards completion, Dunya News reported Saturday.

The Chief Minister expressed these views in a meeting with federal minister Abdul Qadir Baloch in the provincial capital.

He said that Pakistan’s future would be revolutionized after completion of the massive USD 46 billion investment called the economic corridor. He said that a new era of progress has begun in leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif.

The Chief Minister said that CPEC holds importance of a game changer for Pakistan.

CM Shahbaz said that today Pakistan is more secure and economically stable than 2013. Unjust criticism on government’s welfare projects is synonymous to discouragement of commoner’s wellbeing, he added.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

CPEC Security Force to Be Deployed Till June 2016
Nine Thousand Military Commandos including Six Thousand Local Recruits will be deputed by June, 2016. Process of recruitment had been put up on fast track.

A delegation from China (China Overseas Ports Holding Company Ltd) Chief Guest H.E Mr. Yu Boren, Consul General China in Lahore visited Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industries (LCCI) and had a meeting with LCCI Vice President Mr. Nasir Saeed, Mian Ashraf, Mr. Shahid Hasssan Sheikh, Mian Anjum Naseer ,Mr. Sohail Lishare, Mr. Kashif Anwar and LCCI Executive Committee Members.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

BALOCHISTAN: Aerial view of the N-10 National Highway (Makran Coastal Highway). N-10 is a 653-km long National Highway, which runs from Karachi to Gwadar along Pakistan's Arabian Sea coastline. It was constructed by Pakistan Army's Frontier Works Organization (FWO) between 2002 and 2004

Soon this will be Converted/ Expanded to 6 Lane Motorway

Chinese Company committed to open a 1 million ton capacity steel mill in Punjab
A Chinese company has expressed

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Gwadar will become an important Shipping Point.
If connected with neighbouring Countries, Gawader will be a trade Center for whole Asia. (Chairman China Company).

Mr. Muhammad Anwar, CEO (NSTN) signing MOU to develop a terminal at Gwadar Port with GITL/COPHC.

Punjab Board of Investment & Trade (PBIT) inks MoU with Chongqing Jiulongpo Bureau of Commerce China‬

A 20 member delegation from #China visited the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade’s headquarters in Lahore‬ to discuss the possibility of a partnership and to explore Punjab’s rapidly rising automobile and construction industries.

The delegation, which consisted of members from the Chongqing Jiulongpo Bureau of Commerce along with Mr. Xing Ping, President of the China Pakistan Economic & Trade Association and various businessman came to Pakistan on a 4 day trip to look for investment and partnership opportunities in the above mentioned industries.

The meeting was fruitful as Mr. Mudassir Tipu, Director General of PBIT and Mr. Liu Yun, Director General of the Chongqing Jiulongpo Bureau of Commerce signed a Memorandum of Understanding which stated that both parties will help each other out in whatever capacity possible. Trade and Investment will be enhanced and the PBIT will act as a facilitator to assist the Bureau by arranging meetings for them with prominent members in Punjab of their respective and interested industries.

The automobile and construction industries are very big and lucrative in China and through this meeting; we can hope that their expertise can be used to help the same industries in Punjab.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Hazara Motorway E-35

 

[Muhammad Omar]

Hazara Motorway E-35

 

[Muhammad Omar]

National Assembly panel approves 'Special Economic Zones (Amend) Bill, 2015'

National Assembly Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has approved "Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2015" to give exemption from all taxes on income for enterprises commencing commercial production by June, 30, 2020, in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for the next 10-year. The Committee met with Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan in the chair at Parliament House on Wednesday. Chairman Board of Investment (BoI), Dr Muftah Ismail presented the Bill in the meeting.

The Committee approved the "The Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2015 without any amendment. The Special Economic Zones would be established under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Dr Muftah Ismail while briefing the Committee said that after the amendments through the SEZ (Amendment) Ordinance 2015, SEZs would be within the customs territory of Pakistan and Zone Enterprises would be able to sell their products in domestic markets without payment of customs and other duties which will attract more foreign investors to establish their industries in SEZs. He said the package of incentives has also been amended and instead of giving custom duty exemption for indefinite period; only one time exemption at the time of setting up of an industry has been allowed.

The BoI Chairman said that regarding Income Tax holiday; the period of facility for the developer of the zone has been reduced from 10 years to 5 years and for the zone enterprises the incentive of 10 years Income Tax holiday has only been extended to those units which are set-up by 30-06-2020, for other units the facility will be 5 years only.

He said that that the legislation would encourage and facilitate domestic and foreign investors to invest in manufacturing sectors of Pakistan offering them special exemption and incentives leading to reduce cost of doing business with efficient infrastructure. According to section 36 (a) of the Bill, "One time exemption from all custom-duties and taxes on plant and machinery imported into Pakistan except the items listed under Chapter 87 of the Pakistan Customs Tariff, for the setting up of an SEZ subject to verification by BOI."

BOI Chairman Dr Muftah Ismail said that almost 28 to 30 industrial zones would be established in the first phase. He said that the government would provide the facilities of electricity, gas and others to the industrial zones. However, the Committee members raised the questions, how the government would provide gas and electricity to industrial zones while there is already shortage of energy in the country.

The BoI Chairman said that the government is working to overcome the shortage of energy in the country. He said that Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has received as many as 25 shipments of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and we are providing gas to industries without any interruption. He said that the imported LNG is cheaper than the domestic gas. He said the government has also reduced the price of electricity.

At this moment a very funny and interesting situation was created in the meeting when Chairman Rana Hayat Khan said that the Committee will approve this Bill but first the BoI Chairman has to explain why price of urea bag fertiliser is not being reduced while the price of oil and gas has been reduced in the country. "Sir, it is not my subject, you should call the minister concerned in the meeting to explain it", Muftah said. "No, no, the Committee will pass the Bill, if you (Muftah) explain why the price of urea is not decreasing. If the price of urea is reduced then product of agriculture sector would increase and Pakistan would prosper," the Chairman said.

While pointing towards the media personnel who were seated in the Committee, the Chairman questioned them don't you think, the price of Urea should be reduced? The attendants just smiled on the remarks of the Committee Chairman. Later, the Committee passed the Special Economic Zones (Amendment) Bill, 2015" Bill without any amendment.

Chinese businesses prefer to invest in Pakistan: envoy

RAWALPINDI: The government of China and its people have always expressed their love for Pakistan and its people and Chinese businesses prefer to invest in Pakistan to boost bilateral trade, said Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong at the inauguration of an event in connection with ‘China Week’ on Wednesday.

The envoy was accompanied by Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Senator Mushahid Hussain while starting off the first day of China Week.

Mr Weidong said that China was Pakistan’s largest trading partner and that Pakistan was China’s second largest trading partner in South Asia.

“Trade volume between the two countries has increased to about $19 billion. CPEC, which is worth $46 billion, is an important project and shows how important Pakistan is for China,” he said.

He said that this year marked 65 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries and reminded those present of Chinese President Xi Jingping’s visit to Pakistan last year when more than 52 projects had been signed by both countries.

He lauded the efforts of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) in organising events for China Week and extended his cooperation in organising similar events in the future.

The envoy ended his address by saying Pak cheen dosti zindabad (Long live Pakistan-China friendship) in Urdu.

In his address, Senator Mushahid Hussain said that both countries had a great history of friendship, which had withstood the tests of time.

He said CPEC will help the Pakistani economy get better and will strengthen the country as all four provinces, Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan will benefit from it.

“The project will draw in more business and investments into Pakistan,” he said.

He urged the business community to play their role in making CPEC a success.

RCCI President Mian Humayun Perviz said the friendship between the two countries is time tested which is why it is referred to as ‘all weather friendship’.

For promoting trade relations between Pakistan and China, RCCI will hold industrial exhibitions in many Asian countries, including China, he added.

Though trade between the countries has increased, there is room for further improvement, he said.

“We must explore new opportunities. Trading in gems, jewellery, marble, poultry, pharma and information technology can bring a lot of investment into Pakistan,” he said.

Trade delegations and business owners are making regular visits to China and this will further strengthen relations between the two neighbouring countries, he added.

Afterwards, the Chinese the envoy visited some of the stalls and stressed on the importance of joint ventures.

Many companies, including Chinese organisations, had put up stalls at the exhibition with some displaying cars and motorcycles and other displaying leather products, garments and other items. A gallery was reserved for an exhibition of Chinese art.

Schoolchildren put on a colourful performance portraying Pakistani and Chinese cultures and music.

Also attending were RCCI senior vice president Saqib Rafiq, vice president Muhammad Aqil Obaid, group leader Sheikh Shabbir, SM Naseem, former presidents, members of the executive committee and other industrialists, traders and business owners.

 

[Sheikh Rauf]

Its amazing how China can save from this route .. wont be surprise if i start to see alot of companies moving to Pakistan specially in gawadar.. a package which take 15 days to reach Gulf or europe it will take only 4 to 8 days plus labour is cheap in Pakistan and basics of infrastructure will be therr to build new planned cities..
Insha'Allah future is bright..
We have to avoid to enter in any kind of war.. time to ignore india even if its cricket.

 

[Muhammad Omar]

CPEC: PM Nawaz to inaugurate western route in D I Khan this month: Senate told


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Sheikh Aftab on Thursday apprised the Senate that Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif would inaugurate western route of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project in Dera Ismail Khan this month.
Replying to a question, he said that the western route will start from Havellian, Fatehjang, Pindigheb, Mianwali, D I Khan and passing through various areas of Balochistan reach to Gwadar.

He said funds had been allocated for western route and tenders operation would start from Friday.

The minister said that 147 projects costing Rs. 2,114 billion relating to infrastructure sector (energy, water, transport and communication and physical planning and housing), have been approved by the present government that are being financed under PSDP 2015-16.

He said that government was focusing on launching development projects in far-flung areas and interlinked them to other parts of the country.

He said that work on Havellian-Burhan and Havellain-Islamabad route is in progress, adding that work on Karachi-Hyderabad was also launched.

He said that CPEC transport sector projects were covered in Transport Monographic Study. The minister said that Orange Line was not included in the study. The agreement on Orange Line Project was signed on the occasion of Chinese President visit to Pakistan. He said that Orange Line Project was totally financed by the Government of the Punjab and they have made all the arrangements for its financing, adding no federal government resources are involved in the project.


Chinese team visits Gwadar port

GWADAR: An eight-member Chinese delegation arrived here on Wednesday and inspected the Gwadar deep seaport.

Wa Xian, secretary of the Communist Party, Xinjiang chapter, is leading the delegation sent by China’s Foreign Ministry Committee.

The Chinese team was given a briefing by the director general of Planning and Development, Munir Ahmed Jan, and chairman of District Council Gwadar, Babo Gulab.

Mr Wa said they had come to inspect development projects initiated by the two countries in Gwadar and review arrangements for a high-level Chinese delegation’s visit which is expected next month.

‘Chinese investment in Pakistan to create thousands of job opportunities’

ISLAMABAD: A 15-member Chinese delegation visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)here on Saturday and expressed hope that the Chinese investment in Pakistan under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would help generate over 10,000 more job opportunities in the country.

The delegation was led by Gan Rongkun Vice Governor ofHubei Province and discussed with the local businessmen prospects of investment and joint ventures in One Belt One Road and China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects.

The delegation showed interest to explore investment opportunities in energy and infrastructure development projects including constructions of roads airports and railway network in Pakistan.

They said both countries have good potential to enhance cooperation in auto manufacturing steel cement power generation services industry and many other areas.

They said Pakistan now has political stability and growing economy and these factors were stimulating interest in Chinese investors to explore Pakistan for investment and joint ventures.

They said China State Construction Corp has already participated in many construction projects in Pakistan including Centaraus New Islamabad Airport and Chinese investors would construct a 392 KMs superhighway to connect Islamabad with other cities and industrial park in Pakistan.

They also invited Pakistani businessmen to visit Hubei Province to explore business opportunities as it enjoyed strategic location in the center of China with huge business potential.

In his welcome address Atif Ikram, Sheikh President Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that CPEC was considered a game changer for Pakistan and more Chinese investors should be encouraged to participate in this historic project for its timely completion.

He said there was huge potential of investment in many sectors of Pakistan s economy including energy infrastructure mining manufacturing engineering IT and others while CPEC was poised to open new horizons of investment opportunities between China and Pakistan.

He said China has good expertise and advanced technology while Pakistan offered attractive incentives to foreign investors.

He urged that Chinese investors should harvest the investment friendly policies of the current regime by enhancing investment and joint ventures in Pakistan.


Chinese investors express keen interest in Pakistani auto market

Islamabad—Federal Minister for Industries and Production Ghulam Murtaza Khan Jatoi, Friday, said that Chinese investors should invest in Pakistan’s growing auto market especially in small cars in the wake of a huge demand for small cars. While talking to a delegation of Chinese investors led by Vice Governor of Chinese Hubei province here, Jatoi said that there was a huge potential of investment in Pakistan in manufacturing, engineering, mining, energy and infrastructure.
“CPEC has opened new horizons of industrial opportunities between China and Pakistan,” He said. He also invited Chinese investors to invest in Export Processing Zones and National Industrial Parks and urged to harvest the benefits of investment friendly policies of the present regime. He also lured the visiting delegation with new auto-policy, which he said was on cards. He briefly introduced new auto policy and benefits associated with new entrants. He also briefed the delegation about Export Processing Zone and National Industrial Parks of Gawadar.
Head of the delegation Gan Rongkun and other members of the delegation showed their excitement for investment in the fast growing economy of Pakistan. Gan Rongkun said that industrialists and businessmen of Hubei were interested in every field from manufacturing to infrastructure building. Federal secretary Arif Azim, and CEO, Engineering Development Board Tariq Ejaz Choudhary were also present in the meeting, Federal Secretary, in his concluding remarks, said that there was a massive movement in the country in the wake of CPEC and that there was a lot of room to build bridges between the two brotherly nations. He also hoped that industry to industry relation will help learn a lot from Chinese experience.