KARACHI, March 3, (APP): Government of People’s Republic of China
will motivate its private sector to invest in industrial projects
across Pakistan particularly in the southern deep sea port of Gwadar,
said Dr. Mu Youngpeng, Deputy Consul Genera of China.
Talking to local journalists during a dinner hosted by him last
evening, he said setting up industries and associated schemes are
possible once infrastructure is in place.
He expressed his confidence that significant investment with
direct bearing on the lives of general public and national economy
could be witnessed once the ongoing development work is completed.
The Deputy C.G. of China said Gwadar is of immense importance
for Pakistan and it must be understood by all that transformation of a
city does not precede a rocket science.
He on the occasion extensively referred to Shenzhen, a
southeastern city of China and an underdeveloped area only a couple of
years ago that is now a city connecting Hong Kong to mainland China.
“It has become the centre of attraction because of the developed
industrial base,” he said.
Youngpeng said Chinese government offered tax incentives, free
water and other free utilities to attract investment in the area
despite reservations from anti-incentives circles.
“How come we may ask investors to come until there is a proper
road network,” he said.
The diplomat said under the CPEC announced in 2014, a number of
Chinese companies have partnered with Pakistani government to develop
the chantries dilapidated road and deteriorating energy
infrastructure.
The CPEC is financing rail-based mass transit, special economic
zones, energy, infrastructure development and Gwadar-related projects,
Youngpeng said.
He reminded that Chinese government has initiated infrastructure
development with major focus on construction of roads, sea port
development and building an airport in Gwadar.
In reply to a question, he said responsibility now lies on the
part of the government to provide basic utilities in the area.
Mentioning that China started $57-billion China-Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) connecting its southern western province Xinjiang,
across Pakistan, to Persian Gulf, he said Gwadar is the southern
centerpiece of China’s ambitious plan of building energy and
infrastructure.
“Inception of transportation on the corridor has already fuelled
trading activities in the Balochistan’s city of Gwadar,” he said.
The Deputy Consul General to another question said the government
can follow Shenzhen-style development in Gwadar.