Planning Minister meets heads of more than 30 Chinese companies, assures resolution of all issues

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has held a meeting with the heads of more than 30 Chinese companies working on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in order to resolve their issues and to expedite the projects.

The heads of the Chinese companies are working in Pakistan on different sectors like energy, communication, Railway and others.

The meeting lasted over three hours in which Chinese investors appreciated the steps of direct interaction with the minister since he took charge of the ministry and hoped that all issues will be resolved to make the CPEC projects successful which remained pending for over three years.

During the meeting, the Minister said that CPEC was a flagship project of friendship between the two brotherly countries and assured them that the incumbent government has taken several steps to make the CPEC project successful.

“The key objective is to listen to problems of Chinese companies working in CPEC directly and to resolve the issues immediately without any further delay,” added the minister, who assured them the coalition government will speed up the pace of CPEC like it implemented during 2013-18.

During the meeting, each Chinese investor shared his issues with the minister related to government departments and visas.

While taking prompt action, Minister directed the concerned ministries to submit a detailed report at the earliest on resolution of the issues so that their concerns are resolved immediately.

The Minister ordered the Power Division, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) and National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) to submit their recommendations in order to resolve the issues of Chinese investors operating in the Power sector.

“CPEC has to be implemented in spirit of teamwork as both China and Pakistan are iron brothers and all parties have to sit together and to resolve all the pending problems in the same spirit to make the CPEC project successful,” he maintained.

Regarding the conversion of their visas, the minister directed the Ministry of Interior, Board of Investment (BOI) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs to devise a comprehensive mechanism for the resolution of their visa issues.

The minister stressed the importance of facilitating foreign investors and businessmen and asked the Ministry of Interior to make a soft visa policy for Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of big business organizations.

During the meeting the minister also directed National Highway Authority (NHA) to fast track Highway projects.

While expressing serious concerns over zero progress on Gwadar Smart City Master Plan, the minister mentioned that it was unfortunate that since last two years Gwadar Smart City master plan could not be integrated with Gawadar Seaport master plan. The minister directed the concerned to immediately work on it and submit a report.

The Minister expressed his displeasure over no redressal of pending issues faced by Chinese investors during past four years impacting adversely the progress of CPEC Plan.

On the occasion, the Chinese investors vowed to enhance the business and economic relations with Pakistan. The meeting was held at the ministry. The meeting was also attended by the senior government officers.