“CPEC is a transformational Project”, says Foreign Secretary

 

ISLAMABAD, DEC 7  – “CPEC is a transformational project. There is a complete national consensus on CPEC’s indispensability for our national development efforts. Pakistan and China are firmly committed to the timely completion of CPEC projects and making it a High-Quality Demonstration Project of BRI”, this was underscored by Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood in a meeting with Chairman CPEC Authority, General (R) Asim Salim Bajwa.

Reviewing the progress of CPEC projects, Foreign Secretary maintained that CPEC energy and infrastructure projects had created thousands of jobs and had boosted industrial growth and productivity. It testified to the fact that CPEC’s contribution to strengthen Pakistan’s economic landscape has been real and substantial, he emphasized.

The Foreign Secretary underlined that Pakistan’s focus in the next Phase of CPEC was on industrialization and socio-economic development, areas that will create vast job and growth opportunities for the common people. Three out of the nine CPEC SEZs, namely Rashakai, Dhabeji and Allama Iqbal, have been prioritized and Pakistan would welcome foreign direct investment in those projects.

General (R) Asim Salim Bajwa underscored that the CPEC Authority was committed to ensuring that CPEC projects were completed on time. He hoped that the 10th JCC, likely to be held in the near future, will create more economic opportunities and contribute to further expansion of CPEC projects. He reaffirmed that Pakistan would welcome relocation of industry from China and in that regard will institute a regime that could encourage inflow of Chinese investments to Pakistan.

The Foreign Secretary underlined that the Government was particularly focused on strengthening agricultural cooperation between Pakistan and China. In that regard, a Plan of Action, detailing the contours of this collaboration, was already being discussed between the two governments. The Foreign Secretary hoped that the Plan of Action will be expeditiously implemented.

It was reaffirmed in the meeting that post-COVID-19, through collective efforts of China and Pakistan, CPEC would become the hub for the regional trade and connectivity and will deepen people-to-people exchanges at a wider level.

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Pakistanis in China wish to serve the country in a big way

 

YIWU, (China) Dec. 6 – Pakistani business community in China is looking forward to serve the country in a big way, provided they get the government’s support.

This was stated by Mir Faisal Yaqoob, a Pakistani businessman who have been in China for 24 years. He came here in 1996.

He told Gwadar Pro in an interview that in 2001, he set up his own company in Yiwu. Before that, he was helping with his cousin’s business in Urumqi.

“If we only talk about Pak-China trade, Urumqi is a hub for transportation. Xinjiang province is agriculture-based, so people there are much involved in the agriculture business.

Other things are not very easily available in the market.” Mir described the difference between the two cities.“Yiwu is a showroom for all of the commodities in China, where you can find products varies from needles to airplane parts.”

“Manufacturers like opening their showroom in Yiwu since more visitors tend to come here. Businessmen can stay in Yiwu for only two to three days and get everything they want. It can save a lot of time, which is the most important thing for trade,” he said.

Due to his extensive business experience in China, three years ago, Mir was elected as the chairman of Pakistan China Chamber of Commerce, while the chamber of commerce is still in the process of registration.

“More than two years ago, we put the chamber case in civil affairs with the recommendation of Pakistan embassy in China. We are still waiting for its final approval.”

“If we make a team, we can do big things.To make the team, we need supports from our government.” According to Mir, there are already more than 150 member companies in PCCC.

“We have already discussed with a few departments and business communities in China who want to do joint ventures or start businesses in Pakistan. We can also help Pakistani manufacturers get a platform in China and improve Pakistan export. These are also the things we can do for our government.”

“Pakistani government officials in China must keep in touch with the business community in China, especially the chamber of commerce and work together. Then we can do big things for our country, ” he suggested.

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Chinese technology helps to achieves good harvest in Pakistan: CEN

 

ISLAMABAD, DEC 5 – Maize-soybean strip intercropping technology, an advanced agricultural technology introduced from China, achieved good harvest in various demonstration plots in Pakistan both under irrigated and rainfed conditions.

According to a report published by China Economic Net (CEN), the data indicated that the yield per hectare of the intercropping system was equivalent to the yield of crops on 1.5 hectares of the sole cropping system.

Therefore, the intercropping system is more profitable in obtaining a higher net income with less input.

More specifically, under irrigated conditions, in Vehari, the yields of intercropped maize and soybean respectively reached 7,608 kg/ha and 1,029 kg/ha, and in Bahawalpur, the data is 7,219 kg/ha and 887 kg/ha.

In sole cropping system in Bahawalpur, maize and soybean produced 1537 kg and 7894 kg per hectare.

Under rainfed conditions, at PMAS-Arid Agriculture University’s research farm, intercropped maize and soybean produced 4969.4 kg/ha and 940.1 kg/ha, while sole cropped maize and soybean produced 6052.75 kg/ha and 1263.5 kg/ha.

In the coming season, a larger scale of demonstrations around 50 hectares will be arranged at more research institutes and universities.

In addition to National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) and PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, and Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, etc. will join this technology demonstration as well.

Moreover, enterprises like Nizami Industries will also arrange a plot on 25 acres of land, the report added.

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China, Pakistan collaborate to fight pandemic through gene&cell research

 

ISLAMABAD, DEC 5 - The Cloud signing ceremony of the Sino-Pakistan International Gene&Cell Technology Research & Transformation Center Project was held here, Gwadar Pro reported on Saturday.

The initiative by the Biotech & Biomedicine (Shenyang) Group and Dynamic Engineering and Automation Group Pakistan has added new impetus to deepening the cooperation between both countries in gene and cell health.

According to the report, it is a comprehensive project of Gene&Cell Technology Research& Transformation Center between the two countries.

Badar uz Zaman, Commercial Counsellor of the Pakistani Embassy in China, said at the occasion that through the epidemic, we realize that there is much room for improvement in medical technology in Pakistan.

“China has made important contributions to the world’s fight against the pandemic, we both sides are optimistic about the prospects for cooperation in the field of health care,” he said.

Li Junyuan, Deputy Director of Belt and Road Initiative Construction Promotion Center of National Development and Reform Commission, stressed that this collaboration is an important step for China to actively support Pakistan in responding to the epidemic and improving public health care.

It is also helpful to make new contributions to building a closer, more beneficial and higher-quality China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

Participants emphasized that the project can provide technical support for the research and development of various pathogen detection kits and rapid testing equipment, and effectively enhance the ability of epidemic prevention and control in Pakistan, which is of great significance.

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Pakistan on top of the list for Chinese businessmen: President FPCCI

 

KARACHI, DEC 4 – The great project of CPEC will not only change the destiny of Pakistan but will also make China and Pakistan economic tigers in the world. The special interest, diligence, and love of the Chinese government, investors, and businessmen for strengthening Pakistan, economically will never be forgotten by the businessmen and people of Pakistan. 

FPCCI will continue to play its role in the special interest of Chinese investors in Pakistan, strengthening relations and friendship with Pakistani businessmen and increasing trade volume between the two countries.

FPCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar expressed his views while talking to a delegation of a Chinese company who came to meet him at the FPCCI Capital Office Islamabad. FPCCI Capital Office Coordinator Mirza Abdul Rehman, former Vice President Qurban Ali and General Body Member Zain Ali and others were also present on the occasion.

During the meeting, Zukai, chief executive of Chinese company Kai Jing and Mawin Jun, said while thanking FPCCI President Mian Anjum Nisar and others, that to protect the people of both the countries from the Corona pandemic, our company in collaboration with Pakistani companies has created a modern kit for quick and accurate diagnosis of Corona which gives 95% result in 55 minutes. With it, we will also test within Chinese and Pakistani partner companies operating in Pakistan.

Pakistan is the top priority of Chinese traders. Pakistani businessmen and institutions also provide full support to Chinese businessmen. We never feel like we are in another country but we feel Pakistan our home.

Mian Anjum Nisar, President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry while speaking to the Chinese delegation on the occasion said that we are happy that the same love is felt by the Chinese people and businessmen for Pakistan as the love, people and businessmen of Pakistan have for China. He also appreciated the initiative of COVID-19’s advanced testing kit. He said that the businessmen of both countries are playing a vital role in strengthening trade and diplomatic relations.

Mian Anjum Nisar, President FPCCI further said, The CPEC project is a great blessing that will not only change the destiny of Pakistan but will also benefit other neighboring countries including China.

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