"CPEC, today, for Pakistan is this reality; the Gwadar port, the Gwadar Free Zone, the Eastway expressway and other projects in Gwadar. It is the motorways and the highways that are linking Gwadar to Khunjerab, that are linking Peshawar to Karachi. It is the modernisation of our railway system. It is the establishment of the power projects and it is the special economic zones that will generate employment, that will create export for Pakistan and that will give prosperity to people of Pakistan," he remarked.
The prime minister said this inauguration of the International Gwadar Expo is realization of the vision given by Chinese President Xi Jinping and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for developing linkages in the region. He said that CPEC will prove to be a game changer not only for Pakistan but the entire region that will bring prosperity in the lives of the peoples.
Talking about the province of Balochistan, Abbasi said the future of the province is in the hands of Balochistan leadership. "Political leaders of the province have to resolve their issues themselves, otherwise they will never be solved," the premier implored. He stressed the need for preparing a plan to save the coast of Balochistan from degradation and developing Gwadar as a model city to which we should be proud of.
The prime minister announced "Equalisation Package" for the province under which the federal government would share half the development cost in every district of the province including establishment of hospitals, education and other facilities. He also pointed out that he announced financial grant for the province when he visited Quetta three months back. He said the Equalisation Package will ensure the provision of equal facilities in all districts of the province to achieve the target of sustainable development goals.
Addressing the ceremony, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor project has transformed Pakistan-China relations into a strong strategic economic partnership. He said that Gwadar will become a hub of trade in the region. Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing said that his country will continue to support Pakistan for further progress and prosperity.
He said the Chinese companies are being encouraged to invest in Pakistan and with the cooperation of both the countries, projects in Gwadar will contribute in the prosperity of the region. The Gwadar Expo, which has been jointly organised by Gwadar Development Authority and China Overseas Ports Holding Company, is being attended by foreign dignitaries, ambassadors and people from the business community across the world.
The expo seeks to provide a platform for interaction between local and foreign business entrepreneurs, financiers, investors and government officials to utilise the benefits of this mega project for enhanced investment, business and employment opportunities. A business centre has also been set up by the China Overseas Ports Holding Company, which will provide a one-window operation for matters including immigration, customs, visa operations and port clearance facilities.
Chairman China Overseas Port Holding Company Zhang Baozhong has said with the construction of Free Zone, the port city of Gwadar would become a big commercial hub in the region.