Tariq Saeed
Peshawar
The speakers at a dialogue on the “ Role of Parliament in promoting Investment, Trade and people to people exchange under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor” on Friday recommended provision of maximum facilities including soft-term loans to the local investors, IT based scientific approach, skilled manpower, reduction of taxes on imports of machineries and equipment and promotion of infant industries through commercial banks in order to make the game changer project a real success.
The dialogue organized by National Assembly Secretariat, Islamabad in collaboration with KP Board of Investment and Trade (KPBOIT) here at local hotel was participated by all the stake holders including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, Mahmood Khan, Speaker National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, Chief of Parliamentary Committee on CPEC, Sher Ali Arbab, member Parliamentary Committee on CPEC, Ms. Nafeesa Inayatullah Khan Khattak, Chief Executive Officer KP Economic Zone Economic Development Management Company Business leaders, intellectuals, senior officials, students and media persons.
In his inaugural address Mr. Hassan Daud But CEO KP Board of Investment and Trade (KPBOIT) highlighted the objectives of CPEC conference and investment opportunity in the province adding the National Dialogue on CPEC will give opportunity to all the stake holders to understand the real spirit and benefits of the of the project adding parliamentarians, business community, senior officials , top government functionaries and media persons are there to share their views and recommendations to make the project more beneficial.
He said 28 projects have been initiated in the CPEC till date and in the 10th JCC many energy projects as well as road networks like Dir, Chakdara , Swat motorways and energy projects in Chitral have been included in the project.
Speaking on the occasion the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has termed the CPEC as golden opportunity to put this province on the path of rapid development and said that Rashakai Special Economic Zone, a flagship project under CPEC is matured and ready for inauguration adding that hopefully Prime Minister Imran Khan himself will perform ground breaking of this important project very soon. “CPEC should not be taken only as road network but in fact this was a comprehensive package for socio-economic development adding that completion of CPEC project would change the fate of this province”. Mehmood Khan observed.
He said that due to the efforts of incumbent provincial government, three mega projects of motorways and two projects of energy have been included in CPEC portfolio whereas efforts were also underway to include other important projects in the CPEC.
“The matter regarding inclusion of Chashma Right Bank Lift Canal Project in CPEC has been discussed in the last meeting of Joint Cooperation Committee and hopefully this important project would also be included in CPEC portfolio in the upcoming meeting of JCC”. CM said.
Highlighting the importance of CRBC project, the Chief Minister said that this project was of vital importance to ensure the food security in the province. The project once completed would not only bring thousands acres barren land under cultivation but would also be instrumental towards green revolution in the region. He said that Rashakai Special Economic Zone was the first ever step towards sustainable development under CPEC portfolio which will create tremendous employment opportunities for people and promote trade and economic activities at large scale in the province.
The Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaisar in his address said CPEC project was a multifaceted project that would change the destiny of people of the region including Pakistan by ushering a new era of progress, prosperity and development.
He said KP was located in strategic position that would largely benefited from CPEC. He said solid efforts would be made on Parliament level to ensure maximum benefits from projects under the CPEC for KP.
Asad Qaiser said Peshawar used to be a trade and business center in the past and constructive efforts were being made to make it again a hub of business and trade. In this regard, he added that a friendship Group had been revived with Afghanistan. He said lasting peace in Afghanistan was vital to take full advantage of CPEC by Central Asians Republics and Kabul.
The Speaker said the government was committed to promote trade and business relations with neighboring countries including Afghanistan. Asad Qaiser added that he would be visiting Afghanistan along with a delegation in December that would help further strengthen relations between the two countries.
Chief of Parliamentary Committee on CPEC, Sher Ali Arbab said CPEC was a key project that would open up a new chapter of prosperity and development in the entire region including Pakistan.
He said in the first phase of CPEC, focus on strengthening of infrastructure was made while in the second phase the attention was being made to investment and trade.
Pakistan is looking forward to Afghanistan becoming a partner in CPEC like China. He said every part and province of the country would be visited to get people feedback on this vital project. Chief Executive KP Economic Zone Development Management Company, Javed Khattak said about 1,700 applications from foreign and domestic investors including 700 from oversees Pakistani were received for investment in RSEZ.
