While talking to the Chinese delegation, Shahbaz said that China is a sincere and reliable friend of Pakistan. He said that new avenues of economic cooperation have opened between China and Pakistan during the tenure of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He said that economic package of 46 billion dollars given by China is great gift for Pakistan and reflects the full confidence of the Chinese President in the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and deep love for Pakistani nation.
Shahbaz said that China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is a game changer for the region including Pakistan. He said that work has been started speedily on various projects under CPEC and the people of the whole country will benefit from these projects. He said that Punjab government has taken effective measures for the completion of CPEC projects within the stipulated period. He said that work is in progress speedily on a 1320-megawatt coal power project in Sahiwal while a 900-megawatt solar project is being set up at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur.
He said that transparency, standard and speedy completion of projects is hallmark of Punjab government, therefore, foreign investors are coming to the province and are being provided facilities on priority basis. He said that there is a vast scope for investment in solar, wind, especially small hydel projects in Punjab and China Three Gorges Corporation should consider cooperation with Punjab government and benefit from the vast opportunities available in energy sector in the province.
He assured that all-out facilities will be provided for this purpose. Chairman China Three Gorges Corporation Lu Chun said that Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif is working very hard for the implementation of energy projects and his extraordinary abilities and capacity to work speedily is also appreciated in China.
He said that China Three Gorges Corporation will cooperate with Punjab government in energy sector especially in small hydel projects and a team of Chinese experts will soon visit Punjab to review the scope of cooperation. The meeting also agreed to identify priority projects in energy sector for promotion of cooperation. Executive vice presidents and senior officials of China Three Gorges Corporation were also present on the occasion. Provincial Minister for Minerals Chaudhry Sher Ali Khan, Chairman Punjab Power Development Company, Chairman Planning & Development, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Member Water WAPDA and concerned officers also attended the meeting.