Chinese keen to help make Punjab prettier

Shehbaz says province can benefit a great deal from Beijing Florascape

LAHORE: Chinese officials are keen on working with the Punjab government to promote horticulture and are willing to provide all necessary assistance.

Different ways to enhance horticulture and landscaping were reviewed during a meeting presided by Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday, where additional chief secretary, housing secretary, PHA Vice-Chairman Iftikhar Ahmed and Chinese officials were present.



Senior officials of renowned Chinese horticulture company, Beijing Florascape, agreed to cooperate with the Punjab government to promote horticulture.

Addressing the meeting, Shehbaz said the Punjab government was taking effective steps to enhance horticulture and make eye-catching mega cities, apart from increasing development. He assured a comprehensive agreement would be made with the Chinese company to benefit from the latter’s experience and expertise. Also, a delegation of experts from nine divisions will be sent to China.

He said landfill sites in Lahore will be designed along similar lines to those in Beijing. He said the assistance of the Chinese would be highly welcomed as it will not only transfer technology, but train the local people as well.



Shehbaz stated it would be most beneficial if the Chinese company promotes cooperation with all horticulture authorities, along with that of Lahore.

The CM said the Punjab government is working on the founding project of the Institute of Horticulture and he asked authorities to speed up the initiative. He said Pakistan and China enjoy a friendship bond and it is only getting stronger by the day. Shehbaz pointed out that 11,000 Chinese people are working on different projects and this cooperation is setting a high precedent for mutual cooperation.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2017.