Pakistan, China sign 20 MoUs worth $2 billion

Planning minister vows hassle-free China-Pakistan Economic Corridor

KARAMAY: Pakistan and China on Wednesday signed 20 memoranda of understanding (MoU) worth $2 billion as the two-day historic moot of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Karamay-Xinjiang Forum concluded.        

The MoUs were signed in sectors of energy, communication, social services, agriculture, health, education and infrastructure at the Karamay Government Municipal Auditorium.

A consortium of 35 Chinese companies was also formed that will invest in Pakistan pushing forward the CPEC.

Read: MoU to promote Pak-China trade

The participants laid great emphasis on sustainability and decided to make the forum an annual feature. The next meeting of the forum would be held in October this year in Beijing.

In his brief address, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal proposed cooperation in space technology between Pakistan and China as part of the historic declaration, saying it will take the Pak-China relations to new heights.

Iqbal lauded the organisers of the Pak-China forum for holding such an event.

“I assure you on behalf of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and government of Pakistan that we are committed in implementation of the CPEC in letter and spirit.

I give an open invitation to Chinese firms to contact us directly in case of any problem they face in Pakistan; we will eliminate all obstacles in the way of CPEC.

Read: Agreements signed between Pakistan and China

“Sun is rising from the east and the history will not forget what accomplished today from the two days moot of this historic forum. This is sure to bring everlasting prosperity to the region.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th,  2015.

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