Pakistani minister, Chinese envoy discuss CPEC projects, cooperation

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Syed Murtaza Mahmud and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong met here to discuss the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’s projects and cooperation.

The minister and the ambassador expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the CPEC projects and agreed that all projects must be completed on time.

The minister on the occasion said that both the countries could work together on long term policies and exchange ideas with regard to exporting zones.

He mentioned that currently 700 processing zones were working in China while only 8 processing zones were operational in Pakistan.

He said Pakistan had a great potential in agriculture sector especially fruits could be exported to China after its value addition.

He also stressed the need to increase volume of chilli export although Pakistan was already exporting the commodity to China.

The minister informed the ambassador that the floods incurred heavy loss to the agricultural sector, especially different crops were damaged badly.

On the occasion, the ambassador told the minister that China had given financial assistance to flood affectees through Red Crescent Society and Chinese companies working in Pakistan were being mobilized for fund raising for the purpose.

The Chinese ambassador assured the minister of supporting Pakistani agricultural sector through modern technology and trained management to enhance yield of crops.