CPEC vital for Pakistan industrialization & global connectivity: Dr. Moeed

ISLAMABAD, January 27: National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf has said that the second phase of CPEC is critical for industrialisation in Pakistan and connectivity among China, Pakistan and the rest of the world.
This phase will involve investment in a range of sectors, including agriculture and science and technology. Special economic zones will also be created to lead our industrialization process,” he said in an interview with Beijing Review.
Yusuf said, “Since the start of the project in 2014, significant progress has been made on the ground. In the first phase, energy and infrastructure development were the focus. So far, projects with a combined installed capacity of more than 9 Gigawatts have been completed and work on other energy projects is continuing pace. To streamline internal connectivity, roads have  also been built throughout the country.”
He said, these projects will contribute to internal physical connectivity, job creation, agricultural modernization and industrial expansion in our country. Most importantly, we envisage CPEC to be a springboard for transforming Pakistan into a regional connectivity and trade hub.
For China, he said Pakistan offers an attractive investment destination. Manufacturing and services, which may have become financially uncompetitive in China, can freely utilize these new opportunities in Pakistan to lower costs.
As more and more of our peoples interact, a greater understanding of each other’s cultures and traditions would benefit the relationship tremendously. Moving forward, this has to become a priority.
“We must increase cultural and sport exchange programs, scholarships, cooperation between think tanks, among other such initiatives,” he added.-PNP