Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a crucial preparatory meeting for the upcoming China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) session. The meeting brought together key stakeholders from various ministries to assess progress and prepare for the 14th JCC session.

Prof. Iqbal reviewed the CPEC projects in sectors such as Gwadar development, industrial cooperation, and transport infrastructure. He instructed ministries to ensure alignment with sectoral priorities for effective implementation of the long-term CPEC plan.

The Minister directed the Board of Investment to engage major Chinese economic zones, aiming to attract companies for Special Economic Zone development and industrial relocation. He emphasized the role of science and technology in future export-led growth, instructing the Ministry of Science & Technology to formulate a development agenda and identify high-potential export products.

Gwadar’s development as a blue economy hub was underscored, with a focus on coastal tourism and fisheries. Discussions included introducing a third-party participation mechanism for broader infrastructure projects, to be considered at the JCC session.

Minister Iqbal stressed the need for unified efforts across government institutions to achieve tangible outcomes. He highlighted CPEC 2.0’s integration into the URAAN Pakistan initiative, aiming to transform Pakistan into a $3 trillion economy by 2047, focusing on industrialization and sustainable growth.

The Minister called for deepened business-to-business collaboration between Pakistani and Chinese companies. This cooperation is expected to drive industrial growth, technology transfer, and job creation, enhancing Pakistan’s global competitiveness and fostering a thriving economic ecosystem.