Chairman of China Three Gorges Corporation, Lu Chun meets CM Punjab

Lahore: A high-level Chinese delegation led by Chairman of China Three Gorges Corporation, Lu Chun met Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. Matters regarding investment in energy sector in Punjab especially in small hydel projects and promotion of cooperation were discussed in the meeting.

China Three Gorges Corporation expressed willingness to cooperate with Punjab in small hydel projects and assured that a delegation of experts will soon visit the province for this purpose. Talking to the Chinese delegation, the Chief Minister 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 Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. He said that economic package of 46 billion dollars given by China is an invaluable 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 Sharif 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 of 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 Shehbaz 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 for reviewing the scope of cooperation. He said that his company has full confidence in Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif who has provided facilities on priorities basis to foreign investors in the province.

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 Ch. 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.