The spokesperson maintained that the Chinese companies have hired Pakistani engineers and workers in large numbers for execution of early harvest CPEC projects, which even touched 30,000 in number. Furthermore, there are a number of CPEC power and infrastructure projects which are being implemented by consortium of Chinese and Pakistani companies.
For instance, power and mining projects in Thar, Sindh are being implemented by a consortium with two Pakistani firms. Asim further stated that Pakistan''s construction industry has witnessed a boom, mainly due to CPEC as cement, steel and other raw materials are consumed by Chinese companies for construction projects.
CPEC finances are not limited to loans only. In fact the projects in energy sector are being executed in IPP mode where around $ 35 billion, foreign investors'' financing comes under Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) without any obligation on Pakistani government.
Gwadar Port is being developed under BOT - Built Operate and Transfer mode, purely Chinese investment while a number of project in the Port City is implemented through grant from Chinese Government. The projects in infrastructure sector are implemented through government concessional loans or interest free loans. On Average, a 2.3 percent interest has to be repaid over a period of 20 to 25 year on these projects thus creating very minimum burden on Pakistan compare to the benefits available due CPEC.
It has been time and again said on public forums that the incentives for development of CPEC''s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are not limited to Chinese but open for all, with the objective to develop trade and industry of Pakistan, the main gain from CPEC and a driving force for economic growth. It would take the opportunities of CPEC to the lesser developed regions of Pakistan and transform the trade corridors into economic corridors.-PR