China is committed to put Pakistan on the road of prosperity: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that the everlasting friendship between Pakistan and China is exemplary in the history of the world. He said that deep relationship of love and mutual confidence exists between both the countries.

He said that the historic investment of 46 billion dollars by Chinese leadership in Pakistan reflects warmth love with the people of Pakistan and complete confidence in federal government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. He said that China has always been standing with Pakistan during war, peace, flood, earthquake or any other natural calamity.

The Chief Minister said that investment of billion dollars under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) reflects the determination of China to steer its friendly country Pakistan and its people out of problems. He said that the entire region will benefit from the completion of projects under CPEC. He said that a new era of development and prosperity will also usher in Pakistan and Pakistan will be strong economically.

He said that besides federal and provincial governments, industrialists, traders, investors and government officials will have to play their collective role for benefitting from this great and historic opportunity.

Shahbaz Sharif said that if we wasted this opportunity, the coming generations will never forgive us. He said that industrial zones will be established on both sides of the route being constructed under CPEC where investors of Pakistan and China can make investment. He said that all facilities and protection to the investment will be provided.

He expressed these views in his key address at the inaugural session of “Pakistan China Business Opportunities Conference” at a local hotel, today. President Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, other office bearers of the Chamber, Chinese Consul General in Lahore Yu Boren, President China Pakistan Friendship Association Sha Zukang, Chairman Punjab Investment Board Abdul Basit and investors of China and Pakistan attended the conference in large numbers.

Shahbaz Sharif said, no doubt, Pak-China friendship is deeper than ocean, sweeter than honey, higher than Himalaya and stronger than steel. He said that Chain has given us dozen great gifts like Heavy Mechanical Complex and Silk Road but despite lapse of 68 years, the relations between both the countries do not reflect economic and trade cooperation. He said that the trade of China with India is 80 billion dollars whereas despite being tested and sincere friend of Pakistan, the mutual trade of Pakistan and China revolves around ten billion dollars.

The Chief Minister said that China has always been willing to help Pakistan and ready to cooperate for strengthening its economy but previous governments did not pay attention towards it and could not fully benefit from this great friendship and its basic reason is that there are shortcomings in our planning and priorities. He said that China has once again come forward to help Pakistan and is making investment of 46 billion dollars for bringing Pakistani people out of problems. He said it is first time in the history of the world that immediate work has been started of the agreements otherwise such agreements remain in files for years together.

Shahbaz Sharif said that during last year in April, Chinese President visited Pakistan and leadership of both the countries signed agreements under CPEC and implementation has been started on the these agreements in the year 2015. He said that work has been started on the projects throughout Pakistan under CPEC. He said that work has been started on Port Qasim Coal Power Plants in Sindh, Thar Coal Projects, 1320 megawatt coal power plant in Sahiwal, 1000 megawatt solar power plant in Bahawalpur, Gawadar Port and hydel power projects in KPK in the real sense. The Chief Minister said that every dollar is being spent in a transparent manner under CPEC on the welfare of the people and  provision of basic facilities to them.

He said China is fully aware of our problems and knows that Pakistan is facing serious challenges like terrorism, extremism and energy crisis, despite it, China came for over help and announced to invest billions of dollars in Pakistan. He said that setting up of industries is not the job of the governments and governments extend only cooperation for this purpose and take steps for encouraging private sector. Shahbaz Sharif said that the investors should make investment in Punjab and all out facilities will be provided to them.

He said that investors should come forward and fully benefit from the opportunities of investment in energy, leather, cement, steel and other sectors and Punjab government will extend complete cooperation. He said that we have to benefit from this opportunity at every cost for strengthening our economy on sound footings and this is the only way for marching forward.

The Chief Minister said that China has expressed confidence in us, therefore, we will not disappoint it. He expressed the hope that Pakistan will stand on its own feet under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and achieve the goal of self-sufficiency. He said that darkness of poverty, ignorance and unemployment will be removed from the country. He said that a new era of development and prosperity will also usher in Pakistan.

President Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sheikh Muhammad Arshad addressing the conference said that this is the best opportunity of enhancing bilateral economic relations between Pakistan and China. He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor will give a new direction to the economic and trade cooperation between both the countries and our economy will strengthen. He announced to set up China Desk at Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and added that it will provide guidance to the investors for investment.

He said that this conference will play an important role in promotion of mutual trade. Chinese Consul General in Lahore Yu Boren congratulated on holding of the conference and said that this conference will play a significant role in increasing economic cooperation and mutual contacts between people of both the countries. He said that people of Pakistan and China are like brothers and they are proud of mutual friendship.

Senior Vice President Chamber of Commerce & Industry Almas Haider said that the development of China is a role model for underdeveloped countries including Pakistan. He said that Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has provided best infrastructure in Pakistan and Chinese investors can make investment open heartedly.

President China Pakistan Friendship Association Sha Zukang said that economic and trade cooperation is promoting between China and Pakistan and mutual contacts between both the countries are strengthening. He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor is a glorious example of Pak China friendship. He said that China gives great importance to the friendship with Pakistan and is willing to enhance economic and trade cooperation with it.

President Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry Sheikh Muhammad Arshad gave souvenirs of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry to Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President China Pakistan Friendship Association Sha Zukang.

MoU was signed between Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and China Pakistan Friendship Association for promoting mutual cooperation during the conference.

President Sheikh Muhammad Arshad signed MoU on behalf of Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and President Sha Zukang on behalf of China Pakistan Friendship Association.