By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China Zheng Jianbang on Sunday expressed their determination to complete all China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects and further upgrade this cooperation to achieve shared objectives.
During a meeting on the sidelines of the 15th OIC Islamic Summit Conference in Banjul, The Gambia, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister reiterated Pakistan’s firm support to China’s core issues and underscored the importance of enhanced mutually productive ties through close economic collaboration and cooperation.
Vice Chairman Zheng Jianbang reaffirmed China’s support Pakistan’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and development, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release. “The two sides reaffirmed the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership between Pakistan and China and exchanged views on deepening exchanges between the Parliament of Pakistan and the National People’s Congress of China,” it was added.
Dar and Zheng also discussed China’s growing relationship with the OIC and underlined the importance of dialogue and understanding for mutual peace and prosperity.
Meanwhile, As a part of blossoming interest of Central Asian states in Gwadar port’ the Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Pakistan Oybek Arif Usmanov paid a visit to Gwadar Port and met Chairman China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC) Yu Bo on April 29 last week.
The two sides exchanged views on strengthening the economic and trade exchanges between Gwadar port and Uzbekistan.
COPHC Chairman Yu Bo briefed Ambassador Oybek on the developments in Gwadar Port and Gwadar Free Zones, including the establishment of modern port facilities and the upgrading of local infrastructure.
He also informed about Pakistani government’s favorable policies for investors, and added that it will actively explore wider cooperation opportunities between Gwadar Port and Uzbekistan, such as transportation, logistics and other fields, and use the land transportation between Uzbekistan and Gwadar Port to strengthen trade between the two countries and surrounding areas.
Ambassador Oibek said that Gwadar Port has an important strategic position and has the potential to become an important trade hub connecting Central Asia and the Arabian Sea.
“There are broad prospects for economic and trade cooperation between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, and Gwadar Port can be used as a transit port for Uzbekistan’s imports and exports to promote trade with countries and regions along the route,” he added.
The two sides also conducted in-depth exchanges on the establishment of joint ventures between Gwadar Port and Uzbekistan, new investment projects, and the exchange of professional knowledge and technology.
The two sides agreed to set up working groups and establish regular communication channels to maintain communication and coordination between Gwadar Port and the Government of Uzbekistan.
Bakhrom Yusupov, Trade and Commerce Consul of Uzbekistan, Wang Wanchao, General Manager of Market and Operations Department of China overseas Ports Holding Company attended the meeting.
