Bilateral agreements with China now in second phase: Asad Umar

Minister discusses future projects with Chinese envoy

ISLAMABAD: The ongoing phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will bring about socioeconomic benefits for the welfare of the people, said Minister for Planning, Development and Reform and Special Initiative Asad Umar.

In a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing on Friday, he noted that the bilateral framework agreements have now entered into the second phase with focus on poverty alleviation, agriculture and industrial cooperation. Umar stated that CPEC offered enormous potential to boost national economy and reduce poverty.

Both dignitaries discussed future projects which would be included under CPEC. Yao congratulated the minister on assumption of office as federal minister for planning. He expressed satisfaction over the progress of CPEC projects noting that the pace of CPEC projects has accelerated after the incumbent government came into power and hoped that bilateral partnership between the two friendly countries will strengthen further in future.