International cooperation: China to help set up bio-tech lab in Multan

Chinese ambassador says strengthening of agriculture sector vital.

MUZAFFARGARH/ MULTAN:

Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong said on Saturday that the Chinese government would establish a bio-tech research laboratory under a venture for strengthening agriculture sector in Pakistan.

He was talking to newsmen during a visit to Cotton Research Station in Multan. He said the Chinese president’s recent visit to Pakistan had been a great success.

He said the two countries enjoyed brotherly relations and wanted to raise living standards of their people by strengthening the economy. Sun Weidong said the bio-tech research lab would offer opportunities for joint studies and research. He said the cooperation between scientists of China and Pakistan would be enhanced through the bio-tech lab project. The ambassador said the Pak-China economic corridor would benefit the people of both countries. “Together, Pakistan and China can change the region,” he said.

Read: Agricultural output: ‘Bio-technology can increase productivity’

He said China would extend cooperation in science, technology, agriculture, energy and infrastructure. Earlier, Cotton Research Station Director Dr Sagher briefed the delegation on various cotton varieties developed at the research station and other achievements of the department.

120 MW power plant in Muzaffargarh

Sun Weidong also visited an energy unit being built with Chinese assistance at a sugar mill for production of 120 megawatt electricity from coal and sugarcane husk.

The unit is likely to be completed by February next year at a cost of Rs27 billion.

The envoy was told the project would help other sugar mills in the country to set up their own power plants.

He was informed that surplus electricity from this unit would be added to the national grid with the help of Multan Electric Power Company.

Read: Agreements signed between Pakistan and China

Speaking on the occasion, the Chinese ambassador said that his country would continue to help Pakistan in various fields. He said the two countries had a historic relationship and governments should capitalise on that for the betterment of their people. He said China and Pakistan would continue to cooperate to transform this region.  On Friday, Sun Weidong had visited the Multan DCO, several shrines, a ginning factory built by China Shipbuilding corporation in Jalla Jeem, a bio-gas power plant and some other energy projects. 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 12^th, 2015.