Shahbaz Sharif inaugurates Intl seminar on “opportunities of investment in Punjab”

Lahore : Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Almighty Allah has granted a great boon to Pakistan in shape of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as it’s a golden opportunity to move further.

Taking full benefit of this golden opportunity is the collective responsibility of all of us as this is a great project of turning hopelessness into hope and disappointments into joys and happiness. We will have to make this project a success with our hard work, commitment and passion. It is our responsibility as well as an obligation, he added.

In his key-note address, the Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif thanked the concerned ministers, departments and the organizers, and hoped that this event would play an important role with regard to promotion of investment in the Punjab.

He said that the first seminar was held in November 2015 on the same topic which proved very successful and helped to promote national and international investment.

He made it clear that there is no room for politics and monkey justice over the projects of national importance, and added that we should create a symphony, instead of any jangling discord. If we did not take benefit of this mega project, then the future generations, as well as the history, will not forgive us. If we did any politics over the projects of national importance, then the history will never forgive us.  If an attempt is made to create any jangling discord or monkey justice is done, then the history will never forgive us, he added.

Fast track implementation on the CPEC has been commended by China as well as the rest of the world. Friends are happy, while the foes are unnerved and perplexed, over the successful implementation of this project. The elements terming it as expensive commercial loans have been calmed down. These are not loans but an investment of China.

The whole nation would have to move further unitedly for the success of this mega initiative aiming at development and prosperity of the people and the nation. And, it has to achieve its destination by following the golden principles of hard work and honesty. People from all the sections of the society including politicians, judges, generals, bureaucrats, industrialists and traders will have to move further by learning from past mistakes and the history, so as to achieve the goal of self sufficiency and to make the country self reliant. They should play their role to make Pakistan a true welfare state in accordance with the principles of Quaid and Iqbal. A very transparent mechanism has been devised to implement upon the development projects under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and this policy of transparency has been lauded the world over. All the CPEC related projects are high examples of transparency, quality and fast track completions. I would request the national and international investors to move forward and take full benefit of opportunities of investment in Pakistan, especially in the Punjab. No one would demand bribe from you here, nor would your investment succumb to any red-tapism. You should invest here with full satisfaction, earn profits and provide services to the people, while the Punjab government and other relevant departments would provide every support and facility to the investors.

The Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif expressed these views while addressing the inaugural session of second international seminar entitled “opportunities of investment in Punjab” under the aegis of Punjab Board of Investment at a local hotel, here today.

Provincial Ministers, members of the parliament, representatives from China, Turkey, Europe, North America and 26 other countries, besides a large number of investors, industrialists and diplomats, attended the seminar.

 

He termed the investors as ‘masters’ and said that their investment helps to boost trade and economic activities in the country, besides promoting lakhs of new job related opportunities; while, it also proves very beneficial to deal with poverty and joblessness issues. That’s why; the national and international investors are very respectable for us.

He said that a high level delegation has attended the Belt and Road Forum which held in China under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, and said that this forum depicted the leadership wisdom, acumen and futurist approach of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

This project is harbinger of collective well being of the humanity and no strings are attached with this project of development and prosperity. The Belt and Road vision of the Chinese President is a vision aimed at development and prosperity, which is not limited to some selected countries, but is meant for the whole of the world. Anybody can take benefit of this project and all could take part in this journey of development and prosperity. CPEC is a fruit of this vision of Chinese President which will, first of all, benefit the people of Pakistan.

The CPEC projects are speedily being completed in the country. A huge sum of 36 billion dollars is being spent on setting up electricity projects.

He told that 1320MW Sahiwal Coal Power Plant has started producing electricity and 660 MW electricity of this project is being included in the national grid in the first phase.

This project would be completed in the next month by the grace of Allah Almighty which would help to generate additional 660 MW electricity. He said that 1320MW coal power project, which has been completed with an amount of 1.8 billion dollars, is the largest project and a reward of the CPEC Project which would benefit the people of Pakistan.

The Sahiwal Coal Power Plant is going to be completed in a record period of time of 22 months which is a world record. A project of such a capacity was completed in four years in eastern province of India; while a project of such a capacity was completed in 27 months in China.

The completion of Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, in a record period of time, is a great success story having commitment, passion and hard work; and a high example of Pak-China friendship. He said that if the purpose is meaningful and one has the passion to work hard; and progress is made with seriousness, then achievement is gained. This project is the story of hard work, commitment and passion.

Similarly, a Turkish company Zurlo Energy has made investment in solar project of Quaid e Azam Solar Park Bahawalpur; and this company is installing 300MW solar power plant there. Tariff of 200MW electricity is 5.17 cent per unit; while per unit tariff of 100MW has been fixed at 6 cents, which is minimum in the history of Pakistan. Similarly, British investors entered into agreement for investment in the Punjab during the previous conference and today this project has been inaugurated. The British investment group Ashmore has made 70 million euro investment in a beverage project.

He said that the projects initiated under the CPEC are being completed speedily and the history will also testify me that agreements were signed in the past but they were not given practical shape speedily as like the CPEC projects are being completed.

He said that Chief Ministers of four provinces were included in Pakistani delegation which participated in Belt and Road Forum in China under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, and this has given a message to the world that Pakistan is united for its development.

The Chinese President appreciated it during his meeting with Pakistani delegation led by the Prime Minister and said they are happy that the PM led delegation included Chief Ministers of all the four provinces, which is a high example of unity and national cohesion. It proves that Pakistan is united and Pak-China friendship is being promoted in unison.

The Chief Minister said that participation of Chief Ministers of the four provinces under the leadership of Prime Minister in Belt and Road Forum was a clear message that CPEC is being implemented speedily in Pakistan, and this project is moving forward speedily, without any obstacle of corruption or red-tapism. The Chinese leadership also understands that present day leadership of Pakistan is a guardian of CPEC in the real sense.

He asked the foreign investors to move forward and invest here. They would not have to bribe anybody nor would their investment succumb to any red-tapism. He said that peace is necessary for investment as Pakistani nation has rendered invaluable sacrifices for the promotion of peace. It is due to these sacrifices that peace has prevailed in Pakistan.

He said that terrorism and fanaticism has damaged the national economy and obstructed the economic activities. Political as well as military leadership, including the whole nation, is fully committed to totally eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country. Pak-Army, police, officers and jawans of law enforcement agencies, children and citizens have rendered invaluable sacrifices in war against terrorism. By the grace of Allah Almighty, Pakistan shall win war against terrorism, and it will become a center of peace and quality. The country will be made peaceful in accordance with the vision of Quaid and Iqbal.

The Chief Minister said that our elders sacrificed for the creation of Pakistan so that peace prevails in the country and all the people have equal opportunities to excel; besides supremacy of law and justice, and no one should feel worried for the provision of basic facilities including healthcare, education and transport.

These objectives can be achieved by promoting investment and economic activities. The nature has given us this golden opportunity in shape of CPEC, and we will make it a success with hard work, honesty and trust. He said that the projects are being completed in a transparent manner under the leadership of Prime Minister, while the past rulers plundered the national resources. The Islamabad Safe City Project is one such example which was ruined and the case is in the apex court. The policy of transparency of the present government has been lauded in the whole world. Now, you are not scolded on the CPEC Projects, but your transparency has been appreciated in China.

He said that Pakistani law allows for non tendering in G 2 G projects, but the present government, not only initiated tendering in these projects, but also saved billions of rupees of this poor nation through negotiations with the company who got the project after tendering. No such example of transparency and honesty could be presented and the development projects are being moved forward under this policy.

He said that different projects have been completed for bringing improvements in transport facilities, metro bus service has been made fully operational in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Multan after the successful launch of metro bus service in Lahore. Punjab and Turkey have best partnership and quite a number of Turkish companies are working alongside Punjab government. The Chief Minister said that holding of international seminars on the topic of investment in the Punjab is a welcome step and thanked Pakistani ambassadors, especially in China and Turkey, besides concerned ministers and departments. He added that this wonderful event would leave very positive impacts for investment in the Punjab.

The guest of the honor of the seminar and former diplomat of China Sha Zukang, in his address, said that Pak-China friendship is unique. He said that Shahbaz Sharif is a great friend of China, and economic cooperation between the two countries has been promoted due to his hard work.

He said that unprecedented development has been made in Punjab due to the hard work of Punjab Chief Minister; and added that Punjab has emerged as developed and prosperous province of Pakistan. We feel proud of Pakistan and the friendship with the people of Pakistan. CPEC is a great project of development and prosperity of Pakistan; and China and Pakistan are fully committed for its success.

Chinese Consul General Long Ding Bin said that China gives great importance to its relations with Pakistan; and Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has played an important role in the promotion of economic cooperation between the two countries. Due to the strong leadership of Shahbaz Sharif, investment has been enhanced in Punjab and the participation of 300 Chinese investors in the seminar is a proof of it.

Turkish Consul General Sardar Deniz said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has served the people of Punjab with full zeal and has done a wonderful job for providing facilities to the people. He said that quite a number of Turkish companies are working alongside Punjab government, and more Turkish investors would invest in Punjab in the coming days.

President Pak-Turkish Business Council said that Pakistan has an emerging economy and the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has helped to strengthen the economy of Pakistan as well as enhancing economic cooperation between Pakistan and Turkey.

The CEO of Chinese Company working on Sahiwal Coal Power Project said that the Sahiwal Coal Power Project is a landmark initiative which is going to be completed in a record period of 22 months; and added that this has been made possible due to the great leadership of Shahbaz Sharif. The completion of the project, in a record period of 22 months, is the result of Punjab Speed and Shehbaz Speed, he added.

The Managing Director Metro Cash and Carry Pakistan said that the Punjab government has taken revolutionary steps for the promotion of infrastructure, agriculture and industries to enhance the investment. He also congratulated the Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif for his efforts.

The Country Director of World Bank in Pakistan Patchamuthu Illangovan congratulated the Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for creating favorable environment in Punjab for investment, and said that due to his steps, the investment has enhanced in the province, and as a result the economy of Pakistan and Punjab has made strengthened.

The World Bank has been working with Pakistan and Punjab governments and this cooperation would continue in the future as well. He termed as wonderful the initiative of Punjab government to provide technical training to 20 lakh youth.

President LCCI Lahore Abdul Basit and Finance Minister Ayesha Ghaus Pasha highlighted the importance of the seminar in their addresses.