Timely completion of CPEC top priority: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday termed the timely completion of the CPEC as one of the top priorities of the government and stressed that the government is taking steps to promote investment in the export industry in the Special Economic Zones.

“Exporting industries will provide employment, increase economic volume and ensure valuable foreign exchange, as well as access to the ‘Made in Pakistan’ brand in global markets,” he said while presiding over a meeting on the implementation of the FDI strategy from China for the establishment of export industries in the Special Economic Zones under the CPEC.

The forum also reviewed foreign investment in export industries under the CPEC. Federal Ministers Shaukat Fayyaz Tareen, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Asad Umar, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Ali Zaidi, Trade and Investment Adviser Abdul Razak Dawood, Special Assistants Waqar Masood, Moeed Yusuf, Chairman CPEC Authority Lt Gen (R) Asim Saleem Bajwa and senior officials were present. The meeting was attended by Governor SBP Raza Baqir through video link.

The meeting was informed that the visa issues of Chinese officials coming under the CPEC have been resolved while the Ministry of Interior is handling new cases on a daily basis, which has had a positive impact on the pace of the CPEC.

A briefing on the comprehensive strategy formulated by the Board of Investment for the establishment of export industries in the Special Economic Zones was also given to the meeting. The meeting was informed about the identification of potential foreign investors in various sectors in China and the incentives provided to them for direct investment in Pakistan.

The meeting was also briefed on the establishment of assembly units of three major international mobile companies in Pakistan and their positive impact on local consumption and exports. A briefing was given on the steps taken by the CPEC Authority, the Ministry of Industries and Production and the Board of Investment.

Meanwhile, Minister for National Food Security Fakhar-e-Imam called on Prime Minister Imran Khan. He briefed the prime minister on the steps being taken for the record production of wheat, rice, maize, groundnut, onion and potato in the country, and for the restoration of livestock. Expressing satisfaction over the steps taken by the government for the revival of the agriculture sector, the prime minister said all resources are being utilized for the development of the agriculture sector of the country. The measures taken by the government to revive the agricultural sector, he noted, have given small farmers a fair return on their labour, which is improving their living standards as well as having a positive impact on the country's economy.

MPs and public representatives from Mianwali also called on the prime minister. They congratulated the prime minister on the positive economic indicators due to successful economic policies and apprised him of the progress on Mianwali issues, proposed projects and ongoing development works. The prime minister instructed the participants to solve local problems and said the first priority of the government is to lift the backward classes out of poverty. In addition, steps are being taken to provide basic health and education facilities and equal development opportunities to the people of Mianwali, he said.

The prime minister said that from the Kissan Card, farmers having land up to 12.5 acres would be provided easy agricultural loans, technical training, health insurance through health cards and targeted subsidy to millions of families. “Thanks to further business-friendly economic policies of the government, the establishment of industries in the area will provide employment opportunities to the local youth,” he said.