Federal Minister for Planning Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar has reiterated Pakistan’s firm commitment to CPEC projects which he termed as “the heart and soul of the Pakistan-China economic cooperation.” Bakhtyar made these remarks in Beijing at the 8th meeting of the CPEC JCC which he co-chaired with Chinese Vice Chairman of NDRC Ning Jizhe. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah; Board of Investment chairman Haroon Sharif, and representatives of provincial governments and officials of both sides attended the meeting. Appreciating the progress made in CPEC, the minister said, “The stage is now set to take it to the next level wherein the cooperation can be diversified to more trade and industrial cooperation, socio-economic development, agriculture, people-to-people interaction and knowledge sharing under the clear vision set by our leadership.” Highlights of the JCC included conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on industrial cooperation and establishment of a cooperation framework on socio-economic development. The MoU of industrial cooperation would include cooperation in diverse industries such as textiles, petrochemicals, iron and steel, and mines and minerals. The planning minister said that cooperation in industrial sector would help attract investment in Special Economic Zones and encourage relocation of Chinese industry. Both sides agreed to cooperate to develop SEZs in a speedy manner. For the next phase of CPEC, the two sides also agreed to cooperate in the maritime sector, port development, and automobile sector. Both sides discussed promoting joint ventures and industrial relocation from China to harness Pakistan’s export potential. The two sides also held the first meeting of the recently established Joint Working Group on socioeconomic cooperation which discussed a detailed action plan in six areas for future cooperation such as education, agriculture, poverty alleviation, skill development, healthcare, water supply and vocational training projects. The two sides agreed on poverty alleviation demonstration projects in all regions of Pakistan. The first meeting of the Joint Working Group on Agriculture will take place early next year. In his remarks, Ning Jizhe, Vice Chairman of the NDRC, said that CPEC serves the fundamental interests of two countries and their peoples. Calling the visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China a “phenomenal success,” he expressed confidence that the Pakistan-China relationship would continue to grow and prosper. While undertaking review of areas of cooperation under CPEC, the two sides expressed satisfaction and showed willingness to expedite work on all projects including Gwadar. Minister Bakhtyar said that Gwadar is the jewel of CPEC and with the development of its auxiliary projects, it is poised to become the next big economic and transshipment hub of the region. Following the JCC meeting, NDRC chairman He Lifeng hosted a banquet in honour of Minister Bakhtyar at Diaoyutai State Guest House. This was followed by a signing ceremony in which the MoU on Industrial Cooperation was signed. The two sides have agreed to broaden the scope of CPEC, further strengthen the JCC mechanism through increased frequency of exchanges. Published in Daily Times, December 21st 2018.