CCEC to cooperate in infrastructure sector:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Delegations of two Chinese companies, China Civil Engineering Corporation and Shandong Ruyi Science & Technology Company met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, here today.

The delegations were led by Director General Overseas  Wang Hui and Chairman Qiu Yafu. Views were exchanged in the meeting for cooperation in various infrastructure projects including bus rapid transport system and textile industry.

Talking to the delegation of Chinese engineering company, the Chief Minister said that Punjab government has taken revolutionary steps for infrastructure development and is providing all out facilities to foreign investors. He stressed upon China Civil Engineering Corporation to cooperate in infrastructure sector. He said that the project of running underground train from Data Dabar to Railway Station will be a revolutionary step in infrastructure sector whereas the project of BRT in Rawalpindi will result in provision of modern and comfortable traveling facilities to the citizens.

The Chief Minister said that modern infrastructure is vital for promotion of trade and economic activities and government has allocated billions of rupees for this sector. While thanking the Chinese company for showing interest in underground train project in Lahore, metro bus project Rawalpindi and other projects the Chief Minister assured that Punjab government will provide a conducive atmosphere as well as maximum facilities for the projects.

The head of the delegation Mr. Wang Hui, while appreciating the standard of the projects in infrastructure sector said that his company is willing to extend cooperation to Punjab government in infrastructure sector and a strategy will soon be evolved for this purposes.

Talking to the delegation of Shandong Ruyi Science & Technology Company, the Chief Minister said that Pakistan is one of the biggest cotton producing country and cotton production can be increased by benefitting from Chinese technology. He stressed the need for promoting trade and economic cooperation between China and Pakistan. He said that the exports of Pakistan will increase due to granting of GSP status to the country.

Shahbaz Sharif said that vast opportunities of cooperation exist in garment industry in Punjab. He disclosed that Punjab government is working on the project of setting up garment city on motorway near Kala Shah Kaku where maximum facilities will be provided to foreign and local investors. The head of the Chinese delegation while expressing his views on the occasions said that an industrial zone can be established with the collaboration between textile group of china and Punjab government and his company wants to extend cooperation to Punjab in textile sector.

MNA’s Haji M. Akram Ansari, Ch. Asim Nazir, Chairman Lahore Transport Company Kh. Ahmad Hassan, Additional Chief Secretary Energy, Secretary Communication & Works, Secretary Industry Chairman Punjab Investment Board, prominent industrialists, DG LDA and concerned officials were also present on the occasion.