ISLAMABAD: China has honoured Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reforms Ahsan Iqbal with the title of ‘Star Minister’ of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to an official statement, the vice chairman of National Development and Reforms Commission (NDRC) of China has bestowed upon Ahsan Iqbal the title on the sidelines of Bao Forum, in China.
Ahsan Iqbal is currently on a visit to China to participate in Bao Forum. NDRC is focal ministry of China on CPEC whereas Planning Commission of Pakistan is its counterpart.
Meanwhile, speaking at Bao Forum, Ahsan said CPEC took the bilateral ties between China and Pakistan to new heights. He stated, “CPEC is a trans-regional project, which would integrate China, South Asia and Central Asia through enhanced and improved regional connectivity. It will create an integrated economic block of three billion people”.
Ahsan said out of 46 billion dollar, 35 billion dollar would be invested in energy projects and 11 billion dollar would be invested on infrastructure development projects. “This investment will push Pakistan in the category of fast emerging economies of the world,” he declared. He said that transfer of technology under CPEC was an important part of the project.
