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President Xi bringing development key
| To announce multi-billion dollars economic package for Pakistan | Ahsan says 1st phase of Economic Corridor to bring up to $37b investment in energy sector
April 18, 2015
ISLAMABAD - Chinese President Xi Jinping will make historic announcement of multi-billion dollars economic development package for Pakistan when he arrives on Monday on two day state visit aimed at taking the strategic partnership to a new level.
President Xi´s visit would be the first by a Chinese president in nine years and his first overseas trip this year to Pakistan that has for decades been China's closest ally in South Asia.
China is also a major trading partner and key supplier of defence technology to Pakistan.
There is no exact figure available so far about amount of money China would invest in Pakistan and both Islamabad and Beijing have left it to President Xi to announce the amount himself during his visit.
However, Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms revealed that the first phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would bring in $35 billion to $37 billion investment in energy projects, which would produce 16,500MW for meeting energy requirements of the country.
At a briefing to editors and senior journalists here today, Ahsan Iqbal clarified this would be a commercial transaction as Chinese firms would give loans to Pakistani partners, and the government would ink agreements to acquire electricity.
The minister said coal projects would be completed within three years while solar and wind projects would be accomplished in six to twelve months.
Giving details, he said, the four provinces would benefit from these projects, which would generate 10,400MW power under early harvest projects by tapping coal, hydel, solar and wind potential of Pakistan.
The government would ensure the upgrade of transmission and distribution lines because the current transmission lines were unable to carry the load.
At least 10 coal-fired projects would be set under the Economic Corridor, he added.
It was for the first time that a Memorandum of Understanding worth $45 billion was signed in July 2013, which was backed by the vision of both Pakistani and Chinese leadership, the minister said.
Ahsan Iqbal dwelt at length on different aspects of the Economic Corridor as Chinese President Xi Jinping would be landing in Islamabad on April 20, to start his state visit, which was being considered very important in further cementing economic relations between Islamabad and Beijing.
The minister said that with CPEC, the missing link of bringing Pak-China economic ties at par with their geopolitical ties would be restored.
Seeing the massive Chinese investment in Pakistan, the investors across the globe were also likely to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, he added.
He gave details of a network of highways and link roads linking the four provinces from Gwadar to the rest of the country where all these projects would be undertaken.
Ahsan Iqbal said that Chinese firms would give concessional loans for infrastructure projects spreading over 15 to 20 years.
He said the only challenge for Pakistan was to ensure it kept pace with investment vision of the Chinese leadership by turning itself into an economic nation by ensuring success of the CPEC.
He was of the view that given diligence, transparency and tough negotiations, all the projects envisaged under the Economic Corridor would be able to stand any scrutiny, adding that all the political parties welcomed the CPEC.
The minister said all the provincial governments have been involved in working out details of these projects hence these enjoyed their full support.
He said the investment in hydel and coal projects would help reduce the country's reliance on furnace oil-run projects for meeting its power needs which would help bring the price of electricity down.
Pakistan plans to establish industrial parks and economic zones along the proposed Kashgar-Gwadar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that will also be helpful in bringing revolution in the region to increase the status of China in the area.
The proposed sites of freight terminals and industrial parks included Sust, Gilgit, Abbotabad, Loralai, Kohlu, DG Khan, Bhakkar, Rajanpur, Kashmore, Jaccobabad, Khuzdar, Basima, Punjgur, Turbat and Gwadar.
Diplomatic sources told The Nation the Chinese president will be accompanied by a large delegation, including First Lady Madam Peng Liyuan, senior ministers, high-level functionaries of the Communist Party and senior government officials.
CEOs from a wide spectrum of business houses of China would also be part of the delegation.
During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet President Mamnoon, who will also host a luncheon in honour of the visiting dignitary.
President Xi will also hold official talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Later, both countries would conclude a number of important agreements and MOUs relating to key development projects in the infrastructure, energy and communication sectors under the ambit of the CPEC.
Important agreements relating to other areas will also be signed on this occasion.
President Xi will be conferred the country's highest civil award 'Nishan-e-Pakistan' at a special investiture ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
During the visit, he will also address a joint session of the Parliament.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the three services chiefs will also meet the President of China.
President Xi bringing development key
| To announce multi-billion dollars economic package for Pakistan | Ahsan says 1st phase of Economic Corridor to bring up to $37b investment in energy sector
April 18, 2015
ISLAMABAD - Chinese President Xi Jinping will make historic announcement of multi-billion dollars economic development package for Pakistan when he arrives on Monday on two day state visit aimed at taking the strategic partnership to a new level.
President Xi´s visit would be the first by a Chinese president in nine years and his first overseas trip this year to Pakistan that has for decades been China's closest ally in South Asia.
China is also a major trading partner and key supplier of defence technology to Pakistan.
There is no exact figure available so far about amount of money China would invest in Pakistan and both Islamabad and Beijing have left it to President Xi to announce the amount himself during his visit.
However, Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms revealed that the first phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would bring in $35 billion to $37 billion investment in energy projects, which would produce 16,500MW for meeting energy requirements of the country.
At a briefing to editors and senior journalists here today, Ahsan Iqbal clarified this would be a commercial transaction as Chinese firms would give loans to Pakistani partners, and the government would ink agreements to acquire electricity.
The minister said coal projects would be completed within three years while solar and wind projects would be accomplished in six to twelve months.
Giving details, he said, the four provinces would benefit from these projects, which would generate 10,400MW power under early harvest projects by tapping coal, hydel, solar and wind potential of Pakistan.
The government would ensure the upgrade of transmission and distribution lines because the current transmission lines were unable to carry the load.
At least 10 coal-fired projects would be set under the Economic Corridor, he added.
It was for the first time that a Memorandum of Understanding worth $45 billion was signed in July 2013, which was backed by the vision of both Pakistani and Chinese leadership, the minister said.
Ahsan Iqbal dwelt at length on different aspects of the Economic Corridor as Chinese President Xi Jinping would be landing in Islamabad on April 20, to start his state visit, which was being considered very important in further cementing economic relations between Islamabad and Beijing.
The minister said that with CPEC, the missing link of bringing Pak-China economic ties at par with their geopolitical ties would be restored.
Seeing the massive Chinese investment in Pakistan, the investors across the globe were also likely to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan, he added.
He gave details of a network of highways and link roads linking the four provinces from Gwadar to the rest of the country where all these projects would be undertaken.
Ahsan Iqbal said that Chinese firms would give concessional loans for infrastructure projects spreading over 15 to 20 years.
He said the only challenge for Pakistan was to ensure it kept pace with investment vision of the Chinese leadership by turning itself into an economic nation by ensuring success of the CPEC.
He was of the view that given diligence, transparency and tough negotiations, all the projects envisaged under the Economic Corridor would be able to stand any scrutiny, adding that all the political parties welcomed the CPEC.
The minister said all the provincial governments have been involved in working out details of these projects hence these enjoyed their full support.
He said the investment in hydel and coal projects would help reduce the country's reliance on furnace oil-run projects for meeting its power needs which would help bring the price of electricity down.
Pakistan plans to establish industrial parks and economic zones along the proposed Kashgar-Gwadar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor that will also be helpful in bringing revolution in the region to increase the status of China in the area.
The proposed sites of freight terminals and industrial parks included Sust, Gilgit, Abbotabad, Loralai, Kohlu, DG Khan, Bhakkar, Rajanpur, Kashmore, Jaccobabad, Khuzdar, Basima, Punjgur, Turbat and Gwadar.
Diplomatic sources told The Nation the Chinese president will be accompanied by a large delegation, including First Lady Madam Peng Liyuan, senior ministers, high-level functionaries of the Communist Party and senior government officials.
CEOs from a wide spectrum of business houses of China would also be part of the delegation.
During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet President Mamnoon, who will also host a luncheon in honour of the visiting dignitary.
President Xi will also hold official talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Later, both countries would conclude a number of important agreements and MOUs relating to key development projects in the infrastructure, energy and communication sectors under the ambit of the CPEC.
Important agreements relating to other areas will also be signed on this occasion.
President Xi will be conferred the country's highest civil award 'Nishan-e-Pakistan' at a special investiture ceremony at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
During the visit, he will also address a joint session of the Parliament.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the three services chiefs will also meet the President of China.
President Xi bringing development key