PHOTO: REUTERS
Wu Guisheng, Vice President of China National Electric Engineering Co Ltd (CNEEC) - a contractor in Pakistan’s energy sector that has completed 12 projects - told Beijing Review that the company was working with its Pakistani partners to build the SEZ.
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Both the K-P and federal governments have approved the plan and the Chinese government also supports this project. Work on it is expected to start in June, according to Wu.
He emphasised that CPEC was not only a transport route, but also a basket of comprehensive solutions to support sustainable development of the national economy and people. Rashakai Special Economic Zone, less than 50 km from the planned CPEC railway as well as Peshawar, will be spread over an area of 4.04 square km. It will become a new home for the manufacturing and hi-tech companies and a hub of trade and logistics.
“Besides construction, we will run the SEZ and provide companies in the zone with all-round services, including training to local employees,” Wu said, adding locals were concerned about access to the job opportunities.
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CNEEC gave priority to employing local people, he said. “Local talent accounts for the majority of employees at CNEEC’s subsidiary established last September in Lahore.” CNEEC Managing Director Zhao Yao is aware of the local conditions and importance of recruiting and training local employees. “It is unfeasible to maintain a large Chinese construction team in any foreign country. So, we make efforts to recruit local people and offer them training in electronics, construction and management,” said Zhao.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 10th, 2017.
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