CPEC second phase to focus on industrial, agricultural cooperation, Gwadar port construction

BEIJING: The second phase of construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will focus on industrial cooperation, agricultural cooperation, and construction of Gwadar port and socio-economic development, of which 27 new projects will be launched during the year.

“During Prime Minister Imran Khan's visit to China, the relevant departments of the two countries signed a series of cooperation documents, paving the way for the second phase of the construction of the CPEC,” Cheng Xizhong, Professor at Southwest University of Political Science and Law and Senior Research Fellow of the Chahar Institute, Special Commentator told “The Overseas Network” here on Saturday.

During the meeting, the leaders of the two countries pointed out the direction for the next phase of promoting the construction of the China-Pakistan economic corridor, stressing that the corridor should be turned into a high-quality demonstration project to build the Belt and Road.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, jointly established by the two countries, is the flagship project of the Belt and Road.

After more than four years of joint efforts, the first phase of the investment of US $ 19 billion in 22 projects have been completed and put into operation, and some are nearing completion.

These major projects, mainly related to energy and transport infrastructure, were completely alleviated by Pakistan's long-standing power supply shortage and partially created a smooth highway network, thus setting the stage for a rapid track for Pakistan's future socio-economic development.

Cheng said it is foreseeable that the scope of corridor construction will continue to expand and the pace will continue to accelerate, especially as China will actively help Pakistan to carry out projects in the field of people's livelihood.

Cheng remarked over the years, Pakistan has experienced occasional financial crises, mainly caused by foreign exchange shortages.

The continued development of the China-Pakistan economic corridor will gradually improve Pakistan's fiscal position.

For example, the Qasim Port coal-fired power station is a priority implementation project in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which has contributed US $167 million to the Pakistani government's tax revenue in the past year or so.

Experts estimate that the first phase of 22 projects are fully completed and operational, the government's tax contribution to the Pakistani government is likely to reach nearly US $ 10 billion.

With the second phase of industrial parks and special economic zones, it is believed that more and more governments and enterprises will recognize the huge potential investment value of Pakistan.

In fact, in recent times, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries as well as the United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and other major investment countries in the world's enterprises have sent a mission to Pakistan, is actively considering investment in Pakistan's industrial parks and special economic zones to build factories, he added.

He said once advanced industrial production lines are in Pakistan, it will gradually move towards industrialization and modernization, thereby enhancing Pakistan's export capacity for industrial products, at which time Pakistan's foreign exchange earnings will increase substantially and the financial situation will be fundamentally improved.

It is worth noting that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an open project that welcomes the active participation of third parties in investment and construction, as well as extending to the region.

If regional countries work together to build the South Asia Corridor, all region countries will benefit and the region as a whole will become increasingly prosperous and strong.

With a combined population of about three billion, accounting for about 40 percent of the world's population, China and South Asian countries have developed and made great contributions to the world.

He observed the interests, development and destiny of China and Pakistan are highly integrated, and the cooperation between China and Pakistan in building an economic corridor and developing pragmatic cooperation is not only in the common interest of China and Pakistan, but also conducive to promoting regional development, changing the backward face of the region and safeguarding regional peace and stability.