Pakistani minister visits CPEC Secretariat

Islamabad: Caretaker Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Muhammad Sami Saeed, visited the CPEC Secretariat in Islamabad following the recent successful Third Belt and Road (BRI) Forum in Beijing.

During the visit, the minister received a comprehensive briefing on the projects currently underway as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and issued directives to expedite their progress.

The meeting included the participation of the Secretary of the Planning Ministry, the CPEC Project Director, and other relevant officials. The CPEC Project Director provided insights into the status of completed and ongoing projects, highlighting areas of interest discussed during the BRI Forum, which covered topics like Research and Innovation, Communication, Science and Technology, Industry, Agriculture, Energy, Tourism, and more.

The second phase of CPEC has already commenced, marking a decade of collaboration between China and Pakistan.

Sami Saeed emphasized the significance of exploring new areas, particularly Agriculture, Science & Technology, and Information Technology, within the CPEC framework, noting its transformative impact on Pakistan’s economic landscape.

Sami Saeed highlighted the untapped potential in these emerging sectors and discussed the establishment of special economic zones (SEZs) and increased investments by Chinese companies in various sectors.

He said this collaboration has not only spurred industrialization in Pakistan but has also generated job opportunities and bolstered the country’s export capacity.