A high level Chinese delegation comprising heads of various subsidiaries of CRCC, KP Secretary P&DD Shahab Ali Shah, Secretary C&W Mohammad Asif Khan, Secretary Finance Ali Raza Bhutta, Secretary to Chief Minister Mohammad Israr Khan and heads of various provincial government organisations including KP-OGCL and KPEZDMC were also present on the occasion.
During a welcome speech, Pervez Khatak said that the execution of CPEC related projects and Chinese investment will further cement the all-weather friendship and brotherly relations between the two neighbouring nations.
The Chief Minister briefed the delegation about investment opportunities in various sectors including 10 Hydropower projects of cumulative capacity of 2159 MW (Hydro Power Projects and Power Transmission, Replacement/Upgradation of lines and network).
These projects, the Chief Minister told included Karnel Sher Khan International Airport and in transport and railway, Railway Projects (Circular Railway along with Shuttle connectivity and Gilgit to Mardan Railway line), Shandur-Chitral-Chakdara-Mardan restricted Access Road, Connectivity of Khwazakhela (Swat) to KKH through Shangla, Peshawar to Dera Ismail Khan Highway upgradation to Motorway and Mardan to Swabi road Dualization. It also included Oil & Gas Projects including Concession Blocks, Kohat refinery, OMC & Pipeline (As shown by Nouman Sahab), KPEZDMC development & Captive power generation & Development of various projects, Housing Projects (Mainly Model Town Peshawar, CPEC City, Ayubia Chairlift, Takhtbahi Archeological Ruins, Theme Adventure Park at Nathiagali, Theme and Sports park at Hund Swabi, Tourist and Theme Park at Kheshki, Tourist and Theme Park at Abbotabad, Mining Blocks exploration, Cement Plant, Gem Exploration, Cutting & Value addition, Mettalic and Rare Earth metals, Marble and Granite Processing, Chashma Uplift Irrigation Canal, Information Technology including Technology City, Fibre Optic Chitral to Peshawar to DI Khan and Software Houses etc.
The Chinese delegation said that KP is not only the main Province adjacent to China but the first stop over on CPEC and opening both to the Central Asian countries and South Asia, therefore it is their first priority to invest there in the interest of the people of not only both these neighbouring countries but the region. The delegation briefed the chief minister about their experts and capacities in designing, construction, investments, execution and management of various sectors.
It was agreed that the Chinese company of international repute will pick up some of these projects and work out details with the technical hands of the provincial government within a few days so that agreements are signed.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2017