Next phase of CPEC to include agricultural sector: PM

[ghazi52]

Next phase of CPEC to include agricultural sector: PM Imran Khan

January 1, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would lay emphasis on the agricultural sector.

Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad, the premier regretted that the previous government had ignored the sector. "Pakistan is an agricultural country," he stressed.

PM Imran Khan said the government was working with the Chinese officials on increasing agricultural products and using their methods. "The next phase of the CPEC includes boosting the agricultural sector."


Learning from China

The premier once again admired China for its strategies and asserted that the Chinese model of development suits Pakistan's needs the best.

"If we can learn from any one country in the world, it is China. Their development model suits Pakistan the best," he said. "The speed with which China developed in the last 30 years is something we can learn from."

He added that Beijing had managed to prove that poverty alleviation is true development.



Relocation of Chinese industries to Pakistan

The premier said the government was keen on the relocation of Chinese industries to Pakistan "just like Vietnam".

"For this purpose, we have launched special economic zones (SEZs). Next, we aim to convince them to export from Pakistan."

The premier said no government had tried to boost exports in the past 50 years. "This is why we have to go to the International Monetary Fund - when our imports outweigh exports and create a current account deficit."

PM Imran Khan said the government would hold discussions with the Chinese officials on increasing exports in the short term. "Pakistan has great potential," he stressed.


2021 will be the year for Pakistan's economic growth

The prime minister said 2021 would be a year of economic growth, emphasising that the country was already moving in the right direction as essential industries increased productivity.

Giving an example of the construction sector, PM Imran Khan said an increase in cement sales was a clear sign that construction activity is on the rise.

He said the textile industry too was producing at full capacity for the first time in many years, resulting in a "shortage of labour" in the sector.

Next phase of CPEC to include agricultural sector: PM Imran Khan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday that the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would lay emphasis on the agricultural sector.Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad,...

www.thenews.com.pk

 

[Aryeih Leib]

Is there any time period after which pakistan will start earning from this project
. Please don't troll

 

[TheSnakeEatingMarkhur]

Is there any time period after which pakistan will start earning from this project
. Please don't troll

Its a 40 years project you dont expect it to start paying off rn do you?

 

[ghazi52]

Its a 40 years project you dont expect it to start paying off rn do you?

True.

 

[ghazi52]

CPEC to boost Pakistan economy through agriculture, industrialization


By Xinhua
Jan 3, 2021
by Misbah Saba Malik, Tang Binghui

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 2 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's economy will get a boost under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which will enable the country to enhance industrial and agriculture production besides improving its connectivity to regional countries, Chairman of the country's CPEC Authority said.

The first phase of CPEC has filled the voids of the infrastructure of Pakistan, with primary focus on energy and communication infrastructure, and the second phase will be more about passing the benefits of CPEC to the general public of the country by creating employment and investment opportunities through initiation of industrialization and broadening the scope of agriculture sector, the Chairman Asim Saleem Bajwa said in an interview with Chinese media on Friday.

"We will increase our exports, and it will be a big boost to our economy. And similarly, when we go into agriculture, this is going to benefit maximum people by creating more employment and enhancing the yields of the crops of the farmers ... CPEC is a project which will eventually benefit the people of Pakistan," he said.

Briefing about Pakistan's plan to boost industrialization process under CPEC, he said the authority identified nine special economic zones in which they will invite investors from all over the world to set up or relocate their industry, enabling the country to increase its exports.

He said his country was affected by COVID-19, but the pandemic did not had any impact on CPEC projects which kept on working at full swing and no project was halted, adding that the Chinese working on CPEC in Pakistan came to the country on chartered planes to complete the ongoing projects.

Talking about the improving connectivity with regional countries under CPEC, Bajwa said that freights from Afghanistan have already started coming to Gwadar port, and central Asian countries have also approached the Pakistani Commerce Ministry to let them move their freights via Gwadar.

"Gwadar port has great potential, a huge potential for trans-shipment ... It is going to open up so many avenues ... So many new companies are approaching us and the relevant ministries to start the trading via Gwadar."

On the forthcoming railway project Main Line-1 (ML-1) under the framework of CPEC, he said the project will not only enhance connectivity within Pakistan, but will also connect it with other regional countries and with their railways.

"It will open up this entire region for a great economic boom. We see a very bright future and very bright prospects for CPEC. Its dividends are not only for Pakistan and its people, but for the people of the entire region."
The ML-1 project is the rehabilitation and upgradation of the 1,872-km railway track between Karachi and Peshawar.

He added that through (ML-1), connectivity with the regional countries and movement of freights to and from the regional countries will not only integrate the region but also bring more lasting peace and boost economic development economies in the regional countries.

"I can assure that the people of Pakistan and the government have a very clear vision, that there is nothing which can stop or disrupt the progress of CPEC. CPEC is for the future of this country. Our economic future is linked with our iron brother China. Therefore, it will progress ... nothing will be able to disrupt or slow down the progress of CPEC."

He also lauded China for its support to enable Pakistan to handle COVID-19 at the initial stage of the outbreak, recalling the time when the Pakistani president visited China during the peak of pandemic to show support to China, and the Chinese government, companies and people helped Pakistan by sending bulk of medical equipment to fight against the viral disease after the pandemic outbreak in the country.

 

[Aspen]

CPEC doesn't already include agricultural sector? WTF? What have they been doing all this time?

 

[WaLeEdK2]

CPEC doesn't already include agricultural sector? WTF? What have they been doing all this time?

Road networks and infrastructure. Next phase is industrialization with SEZ as a priority

 

[ghazi52]

Agriculture sector is being linked to CPEC to facilitate farming community: PM

• Imran says Pakistan is heading towards modern agriculture and the use of new technology will help curb corruption in the sector
• The government is taking help from the private sector to facilitate the farming community and carry out experiments to boost agriculture, says premier

Fahad Zulfikar
26 Apr 2021


(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Pakistan is heading towards modern agriculture and the use of new technology will help curb corruption in the sector.

Addressing the Kisan card distribution ceremony in Multan on Monday, Imran said that the agriculture sector is being linked with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. "Farmers are the backbone of the country," the PM remarked.

He stated that the government is taking help from the private sector to facilitate the farming community and carry out experiments to boost agriculture. "We have sought support from China in the field of agriculture," he said.

The premier highlighted that the government will provide relief to farmers in case the crops are destroyed.

The progress of farmers will ultimately uplift the country. The premier said the farmers of wheat earned Rs500 billion for their crops and the rate of the wheat crop increased by Rs500 during the so far tenure of the incumbent government.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan’s soybean intercropping to boost agriculture sector

May 9, 2021

SOURCEthenews.com.pk





Vice Chancellor of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB), Athar Mehboob visited demonstration of maize-soybean strip intercropping technology at Khairpur Tamewali, Bahawalpur, and said that Pakistan needs to learn from China to boost growth in agriculture sector. He thanked Chinese technology’s successful localization in the country, and expressed gratitude to Professor Yang Wenyu of Sichuan Agricultural University.

ISLAMABAD: Vice Chancellor of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) Athar Mehboob visited demonstration of maize-soybean strip intercropping technology at Khairpur Tamewali, Bahawalpur.
According to China Economic Net (CEN), he explored all the demonstrative plots to check both crops’ growth and greenness. “We need to learn from our Chinese brothers how they modernize their agriculture and how they increase the yields with less resource,” he said.

Seeing Chinese agricultural technology’s successful localization in Pakistan, “here I want to say thanks to the Chinese President Xi Jinping who introduced China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to Pakistan,” Athar Mehboob said.

He also expressed gratitude to Professor Yang Wenyu of Sichuan Agricultural University, and Dr. Gu Wenliang, Agricultural Commissioner, Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, for their generous support.
Dr Gu twitted about the visit that “I also have full confidence that this technology would change the edible oil production in Pakistan soon.” “We desperately want to sign MoUs with Chinese universities to learn from their high-yielding experience. We are ready to provide all the facilities to Chinese professors and scientists if they are interested to do any research in Pakistan.

 

[FuturePAF]

This can’t come fast enough. At the very least Pakistan need to be able to raise enough crops to feed into value added industries and raise enough revenue to lower consumer prices for things like food staples.

Pakistan needs high yield seeds that are disease and drought resistant and don’t have repressive patent protections.

 

[Thorough Pro]

CPEC is not a commercial company that will start earning, most CPEC projects are focused on basic and social needs like power generation, communication, transport infrastructure, etc their payback is in the form of better lives for common Pakistani citizens.

Commercial projects would also come online in due course

Is there any time period after which pakistan will start earning from this project
. Please don't troll

 

[ghazi52]

China and Pakistan are moving forward to strengthen cooperation in animal husbandry and fishery sectors. Experts and prominent companies from both sectors continue to hold bilateral dialogue to discuss educational and industrial programmes in this regard, and possible measures to enact such cooperation. Fakhar Imam, Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research has urged Pakistan to modernise its livestock and fishery industries by upgrading infrastructure and building a substantial supply chain through joint enterprises with China, technology transfer and talent cultivation. He also point out a number of challenges facing these sectors, while also highlighting potential of expansion in Chinese markets.

Moreover, Li Jinhui, Deputy Secretary General of China Animal Agriculture Association and President of China Broiler Alliance, said, “China is the largest importer of beef and a major importer of mutton and chicken. This presents enormous opportunities to Pakistan to enhance its beef and mutton exports. Zhang Baozhong, Chairman of China Overseas Ports Holding Company has highlighted a number of viruses and diseases found in Pakistan’s livestock, whereas under the MoU on combatting FMD signed between China and Pakistan in 2019, China will help Pakistan establish FMD-free zones in Punjab and Balochistan to ensure the health of the food animals.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan, China highlight areas for agricultural cooperation in projects worth Rupees 83 Billion

May 20, 2021

SOURCEdailytimes.com.pk



ISLAMABAD: As many as 18 projects worth around Rs83 billion have been identified in agriculture sector under the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Project, with an aim to exploit its true potential and modernize it for the sustainable economic growth.

“Agriculture development is the main component of the second-phase of CPEC and both China and Pakistan are determined to exploit this sector for mutual benefit,” said Senior Joint Secretary and Spokesman of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research Javed Hammayun.


About twelve short, medium and long-term projects identified by the China-Pakistan Joint Working Groups (JWG) are related to Livestock Wing, Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFS&R) and Livestock and Dairy Development Department, six projects are related to research and development to be executed b Pakistan Agricultural Research Council while one project has been identified for the establishment of Aquaculture Park in Coastal Areas of Pakistan.

Giving break up details, Javed said, through these projects both the countries would cooperate in the areas of capacity building, agriculture product processing and technology extension, he added.

The other identified projects included uplifting of local agriculture sector including fisheries, establishment of foot and mouth disease free zones, and market information as well as agricultural trade, he added.


Javed said that the short-term projects would be completed in two years’ time whereas the and medium as well as long term projects would be completed in four to five years’ time frame.

During the said high level visit, Ministry of Planning and Development had also signed an MOU with its Chinese counterpart to bring the two Joint Working Groups (JWGs) including Agricultural Cooperation and Science Technology under CPEC, he added.

Javed Hammayun further informed that so far two meetings of JWG had taken place, adding that second Joint working Group (JWG) on Agricultural Cooperation was held via video.

Both sides agreed to establish the center for sustainable control of plants pest diseases in Pakistan (Karachi) for which Department of Plant Protection will be the lead Executing Agency.

He said that Pakistan and China had also agreed to conduct third meeting of JWG in 2021 in Beijing.

Apprising the progress made on different projects finalized by JWG, he said that Foot and Mouth Disease (FMDF) free zone in Bahawalpur Division was established by Punjab, adding that in this regard an updated technical matrix on establishment of FMD Free Zones proposed by Livestock and Dairy Development Department, Punjab had been shared with Chinese side along with invitation to Chinese experts for inspection.

Livestock Wing of Ministry of National Food Security and Research has provided requisite information on prescribed questionnaire for export of poultry products to China and invited Chinese technical team to visit Pakistan for inspection of poultry establishments, he added.

In order to promote bilateral collaboration in research and transfer of technology, Chines side had also expressed its consent for providing financial assistance for the establishment of Center of Excellence at National Agriculture Research Center on agriculture, livestock and fisheries.

Javed Hammayun further informed that Pakistan was keen to develop its research collaboration with Chinese institutions in order to enhance per-acre crop output of all major crop including wheat, rice, cotton and in this regard the other side has also agreed for providing technical and financial assistance for the establishment of center of excellence on Central Cotton Research Institute Multan, besides the establishment of intelligent greenhouse farming in Pakistan.

The seven projects to be executed by PARC included promotion of cherry cultivation on commercial Scale in Gilgit-Baltistan for taping the export potential to China, adding that this project would be completed within five years with an estimated cost of Rs, 1,200 million, he added.

The Northern Areas of the country have enamoured potential to produce dry fruits and recognizing the importance the JWG had also identified the project promotion and development of Pistachio in Pakistan under CPEC initiatives and the estimated cost of initiative was calculated at Rs1,300 million and it would be completed within five years’ time period, he remarked.

Meanwhile, commenting on Pak-China collaboration in research and technology transfer, Member Plant Sciences in PARC Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali said that the council had established National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Bio-technology (NIGAB).

The NIGAB in collaboration with Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences had developed four high-yielding virus free banana verities, he said adding that new verities of potatoes were also developed which would have significant impact on local output of crop.

“We are also working with Chinese scientists for the development of long grain green super rice and high-yielding sugarcane and cotton verities and work on these crops were on advanced stage and it was expected that within a short span of time the verities of above-mentioned crops would be available for local cultivation that would have revolutionary impact on agriculture sector in the country”, he added.

 

[ghazi52]

Pak mango to enter in Chinese market from June 10

The Frontier Post

BEIJING (APP): Pakistani mangoes will hit markets in China from June 10, this year, when first consignment of King of fruits will be transported from Lahore to Kumning, capital city of South-Western Yannan province.

“We are picking Sindhri variety from the farms in Tando Allahyar, Sindh province and after processing and packaging in Lahore, we will airlift first consignment to Kunming on June 10, Adnan Hafeez, Director, Imperial Ventures (Pvt) Ltd told APP on Sunday.

He informed that most Chinese people favor mangoes imported from South Asian countries because of their plump and taste.

“This year, we are offering the product to our end clients directly under business to customer strategy and even if they want to buy one box, we will deliver to their homes”, he added.

He informed that his company will efficiently utilize the air cargo services and express delivery services to supply mangoes to the customers in a very smooth and timely manner, he added.

Adnan Hafeez said that this year, Pakistani mangoes will be available in 4.5 kg and 2.5 kg packings respectively and in the next phases we will also import Chaunsa from Pakistan.

He said that his company is also planning to organize promotional activities in collaboration with the embassy of Pakistan and its consulates to introduce Pakistani mangoes in China.

Pakistani mangoes are of very high quality and Chinese consumers have an emotional attachment to Pakistani products because of the Pak-China friendship

According to a Chinese analyst, Pakistani mangoes are expected to enter the Chinese market on a large scale this summer. Last year, Pakistan held mango tasting event in Shanghai and the feedback from the Chinese consumers was very positive.

Pakistan is the third largest mango exporter in the world, and mango is known as the King of Fruits in Pakistan. The soil and climate conditions in Pakistan are particularly suitable for the growth of high-quality mangoes, which can be supplied for five to sic months every year.

Mango is also the main export fruit of Pakistan. In 2018, Pakistan’s mango production reached 1.9 million tons, ranking sixth in the world.

 

[ghazi52]

In connection with CPEC phase II tech-savvy Agriculture cooperation between Pakistan and China, Punjab budget 2021-22 is going to have double allocation for agriculture projects with emphasis on improving the quality of seeds and agricultural services to boost production, Gwadar Pro reported on Monday.

Inspired by incentives given by China to farmers and implementing new priorities laid down in CPEC phase II, Punjab budget 2021-22 is ushering in a new era of agriculture taxes to boost agro-based initiatives as well as corporate farming.

The tax rate on agricultural services is being curtailed to 1 per cent from 16 per cent for the corporate sector in order to make the sector attractive for investment.

CPEC authority Chairman Asif Saleem Bajwa in a media talk said that efficient and corporate farming is going to be introduced for the first time in the country in cooperation with China under CPEC.