Sukkur-Multan Section Of Motorway To Create 10,000 Jobs: Chinese Deputy Envoy

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News -21st Sept,2016) : Chinese Deputy Ambassador, Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday that world largest construction company was implementing Sukkur-Multan section of Karachi-Lahore motorway project creating more than 10,000 jobs for local people of Punjab and Sindh provinces.

As many as 20 camps had been set up for the staff participating in the construction work of US$ 2.9 billion mega project, he said while speaking at a national conference on CPEC: Macro and Micro Economic Dividends for Pakistan and the Region, held here.

Terming CPEC as flagship projects of One Belt One Road initiative by Chinese President, Xi Jinping, he said, his country had so far invested US$ 14 billion in 30 early harvest projects being completed under CPEC out of which 16 were under construction.

He expressed his satisfaction over the pace of work on different energy, transport, infrastructure and road projects, he said, Chinese government encouraged qualified companies to invest in Pakistan and explore business and trade opportunities.

Zhao Lijian said, in year 2013, China was at number 13 on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) list of Pakistan, adding, last year China had become number one inventer after the commissioning of CPEC initiative.

Giving details of energy projects being completed in year 2017, he said, 70 percent work on Sahiwal Coal Power Project had been completed and its first unit would start producing electricity by end of June next year.

He said, Port Qasim Power Project and Dawood Wind Power project would soon be completed. The Chinese Deputy Ambassador said, Karot Hydro Power project was being competed from Silk Road Fund announced by the Chinese President.

He said, early harvest projects would be completed by early 2018 while hydro-power project would be completed in 2020. About KKH Phase-II project, he said, the construction work on Thakot-Havalian section of the KKH was progressing well.

Sharing positive impacts of CPEC on Pakistan's economy with the audience, he said, the World Bank in its report had acknowledged economic growth in Pakistan while its foreign reserves had climbed to US$ 22 billion.

He expressed the confidence that CPEC would bring prosperity and opportunities for people of both China and Pakistan, adding, it would create more job opportunities besides ensuring better health and education facilities after its further advancement.