Pakistan Ready For New Phase Of Business Relations With China

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) ISLAMABAD, June 21 (KUNA) -- Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that his country is ready for the new phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) with a focus on industrial sectors and business-to-business collaboration.
According to a statement issued by PM office, while talking to a Chinese delegation headed by Minister of International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Liu Jianchao here in Islamabad, Sharif said that early completion and implementation of all ongoing and new projects of CPEC will play an important role in economic growth and overall development of Pakistan.
He expressed satisfaction that there is complete political consensus between the two countries on CPEC, adding that the Special Investment Facilitation Council is providing all possible facilities for Chinese investment in Pakistan.
He appreciated the vision of Chinese leadership to work together for continuous promotion of Pak-China strategic relations and the upgrade of CPEC.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan-China friendship has stood the test of time and is indispensable not only for the two countries but for peace and development of the entire region and the world.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of regular exchange between the political parties of the two countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Minister Liu Jianchao emphasized that Pakistan and China are iron brothers, strategic partners and most reliable friends.
He said China has accorded a special place to Pakistan in its foreign policy and will continue to support Pakistan's economic development. He said China is ready to work jointly for an upgraded version of CPEC.
Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to enhance people to people linkages with China to deepen the sentiments of mutual respect, trust and understanding between the two countries during the Third Meeting of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism in Islamabad, said Pakistan Foreign Office.
The Deputy Prime Minister said this meeting is a manifestation of a shared commitment to preserve and protect this relationship from the vagaries of national, regional and international politics.
Dar said there is a complete unanimity amongst all political parties in Pakistan on CPEC's importance for Pakistan's economic growth and sustainable development.
Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent visit to China, Ishaq Dar said there was renewed consensus on upgrading the corridor project, adding that we are prioritizing industry, modern agriculture, Information Technology and mining and minerals. (end)
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