Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China will give a new life to CPEC: Top official

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to china would give the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) a new life, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Commerce and Industry Rana Ihsaan Afzal Khan said.

In a statement, Khan maintained that with the PM’s visit, the CPEC would enter the next phase of business-to-business (B2B) mode after the productive government-level talks.

Khan informed that the PM will invite Chinese companies to invest in Pakistan besides ensuring a good economic environment and security.

He said the government had re-initiated the CPEC project that faced unnecessary interruption during the previous government.

Khan stressed that political stability was a major factor in attracting foreign investment and stabilizing the national economy.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif landed in China for a two-day official visit at Premier Li Keqiang’s invitation. This is his first trip to the neighbouring country since assuming office in April.

Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Railways Minister Saad Rafique and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah are part of the delegation accompanying the premier.

During the visit, the prime minister will meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. He is also scheduled to meet Chinese investors and Pakistani businessmen.

Ahead of his departure, the premier tweeted: “Honoured to be among the first few leaders to have been invited after the historic 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. At a time when the world is grappling with multiple challenges, Pakistan and China stand together as friends and partners.”

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said the PM’s visit to China will be an “extremely important” one, adding “it will set a new milestone for the CPEC”.

She underlined that all administrative and procedural obstacles had been removed from the projects, saying “the new CPEC era is about to begin”.