Ambassador Hashmi calls on Chinese consulting firm to support construction of CPEC
This article indicates that the Pakistani Ambassador to China Naghmana A Hashmi Wednesday called on China International Engineering Consulting Corporation (CIECC) to continue to support the construction of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). She made the remark when she met President of CIECC Wang An, according to the official website of the consulting firm.
CPEC’s Steady Progress
https://pakobserver.net/cpecs-steady-progress/
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is making steady progress which is projected to increase in overall of GDP %, GNP, industrialization, social development and above all new job generation. The 3,000 km long CEPC is to connect China and Pakistan by rail, road, pipeline and fibre optic network. It connects the Chinese province of Xinjiang with the Pakistani port of Gwadar and offers China access to the Arabian Sea.
Game changer CPEC gets Rs21 bn for 2020-21
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/672566-game-changer-cpec-gets-rs21-bn-for-2020-21
This article has spending details for The Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the next year that contains around Rs21 billion allocation for projects under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – once considered a game changer for Pakistan. Budgets are mainly allocated for construction of Zhob to Kuchlak Road, CPEC Western Corridor as Rs10 billion has been allocated for this project. For the up-gradation of Pakistan Railways existing Main Line-1 (ML-I) and establishment of dry port near Havelian (2018-22) under Phase-1 of CPEC, the PSDP allocates Rs6 billion.
Gwadar to be a node in global shipping: Zhang Baozhong
https://pakobserver.net/gwadar-to-be-a-node-in-global-shipping-zhang-baozhong/
Zhang Baozhong, Chief Executive Officer of China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) which operates Gwadar Port said that Gwadar-related activities are progressing well as more than $ 250 million has been initially spent on port renovation with more investments in the pipeline. In addition, new cranes have been added for unloading cargo along with works on the establishment of a business centre, a desalination plant and sewage disposal systems, says a report published by Gwadar Pro on Saturday. As for the necessity of desalination plants, they are needed to meet the acute scarcity of water and to meet future needs of the locals.
Impact of Covid-19 on CPEC
https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2020/06/15/impact-of-covid-19-on-cpec/
This article analyses as to why the CPEC and BRI was no exception when it came to the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. The restart of major projects have restarted and traffic at the Gwadar port remains unaffected at this point.
Government vows greater transparency in second phase of CPEC
https://www.dawn.com/news/1564460/govt-vows-greater-transparency-in-second-phase-of-cpec
The Pakistani government this month vowed to provide better transparency and lesser reliance on loans during the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
CPEC Authority Chairman and Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information retired Lt Gen Asim Bajwa said the Phase-II of CPEC would be started after “full preparation and in an institutional manner”, while ensuring “full transparency”.
Pak, China staffers of CPEC project join hands to curb Covid-19
https://nation.com.pk/21-Jun-2020/pak-china-staffers-of-cpec-project-join-hands-to-curb-covid-19
Projects are still ongoing within CPEC but precautions are being taken to ensure safety of its workers. The China Gezhouba Group Co (CGGC), a construction of SK project has now reached a critical point. With over 2,700 Pakistani employees and 650 Chinese employees joining hands to curb the pandemic, no confirmed case of the novel coronavirus was detected in the project so far.
In order to prevent and control the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire SK project site was divided into more than 400 working areas. Each working area was equipped with a safety coordinator like Akhbab Sharif and some other personnel from Pakistan and China.
Please read our further stories this month: