Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
A Joint Working Group of Pakistan and China on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during a meeting reviewed the implementation status of the CPEC projects in Gwadar and deliberated upon the future course of action with regard to development of Gwadar city, port and the free zone.
The Governments of Pakistan and China held meetings of the two Joint Working Groups on Gwadar and Socio-Economic Development through video Conferencing.
The 6th Session of the Joint Working Group on Gwadar was co-chaired by Secretary Planning Development & Special Initiatives Mr. Abdul Aziz Uqaili and the Mr. Ying Xiong, Director General of the National Development & Reforms Commission (NRDC) of China. Secretary Economic Affairs and Maritime Affairs, representatives of Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Aviation, Defence, CPEC Authority, PPIB, GPA, Government of Balochistan, GDA as well as representatives of their counterparts in China participated in the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the implementation status of the CPEC projects in Gwadar and deliberated upon the future course of action with regard to development of Gwadar city, port and the free zone.
Both sides expressed satisfaction on steady progress made on various projects including full operationalization of Gwadar Port and its inclusion in the Afghan Transit Trade route; finalization of the Smart Port City Master Plan; completion of the Pak-China Technical & Vocational Institute; substantial progress on Eastbay Expressway; commencement of work on New Gwadar International Airport and the Pak-China Friendship Hospital.
It was noted that Gwadar Free Zone Phase -1 had been successfully completed, while work on the much larger Phase – 2 covering an area of 2221 acres had been started. The meeting emphasized on the need for finalization of Marketing and Investment Plan for Free Zone along with its implementation strategy.
