Provincial Minister of Industry, Trade, Energy and Agriculture SM Tanveer held a meeting with Chinese Consul General Zhao Shiren at a local hotel where they reached an agreement to enhance cooperation in the fields of industry, agriculture, energy, environmental protection, and other sectors.
The meeting was attended by provincial secretaries of industry and commerce, agriculture, energy, and environment protection departments, as well as relevant officers. The discussion revolved around the completed projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Punjab, as well as future endeavors.
Provincial Minister SM Tanveer noted that numerous Chinese companies have made significant investments in Punjab, and the government warmly welcomes further investments from China in the sectors of agriculture, energy, and other sectors. He emphasized the pivotal role of China’s technical cooperation in driving advancements in agriculture, energy, and environmental protection. He underlined the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor as a symbol of the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China, emphasizing its economic significance. The collaboration between Punjab and China will be fortified under the comprehensive framework of CPEC, he added.
Zhao Shiren acknowledged the growing interest of Chinese companies to invest in Punjab and added that more Chinese companies intend to invest in the province.
Moreover, Provincial Minister for Industries, Commerce and Energy SM Tanveer presided over a meeting to review proposals put forth by the provincial joint working group on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The meeting finalised proposals related to collaboration in the agriculture, industry, environmental protection, and energy sectors under CPEC.
It stressed fostering cooperation in agricultural research, floriculture, local production of agricultural machinery, and capacity building of agricultural scientists. Additionally, the CPEC will initiate new energy projects, including the manufacturing of solar panels. The establishment of a solar park in conjunction with the industrial estate, as well as the upgrading of Punjab Tianjin University of Technology and the Mir Chakar Khan Rind University of Technology, will be pursued with Chinese assistance.
The proposal for a solar park in M3 Industrial Estate, Allama Iqbal Industrial City Faisalabad, and Surgical City received due consideration. The meeting agreed to seek technical assistance from China to address the smog issue.
The minister underscored the economic significance of the CPEC. He suggested developing new citrus varieties through cooperation with China.
