MONTHLY CPEC NEWS BRIEF JULY 2020 Prepared by PMU-CPEC-ICDP

ENERGY PROVISION TO BOI MOVES TO SET UP SOLAR CAPTIVE PLANT FOR SEZS CPEC SEZs PROGRESS ON CPEC Source: Observer Source: Dawn Source: Pakistan Observer CPEC reinvigorated The Board of Investment (BOI) has CPEC 2.0: full speed ahead According to latest statistics played an active role to facilitate the of CPEC Authority (July, CPEC-watchers see the launch establishment of first ever BOLT 2020), Chinese investment of two hydel power projects model based- 700 megawatts (MW) in the country in different in quick succession in Azad solar captive power plant to provide projects of the CPEC Kashmir and a special uninterrupted energy to the FIEDMC surpassed over $11 billion economic zone (SEZ) in CPEC SEZs namely M3-Industrial City during 2020. this month as early and Allama Iqbal Industrial City (AIIC). signs of the rejuvenation of It will be completed in three phases. The two countries signed the multi-billion-dollar projects worth of $11bn, programme. To remove including a $3.9bn roadblocks and ensure timely CHINESE PERCEPTION ON CPEC hydroelectric dam and a progress, the government is $7.2bn railway upgradation. also working on the CPEC Independent experts found the assumption It is the second biggest Authority Bill 2020 that will of Chinese preference for a particular amount of Chinese further empower the political party in Pakistan baseless. investment in a single year dedicated authority created Regarding suspicions over China’s after 2015 which witnessed last year. enthusiasm for CPEC, the assumption is a total investment of over factually incorrect. In fact, there is renewed $12 billion. There might be some glitches vigor in CPEC with two new hydel projects announced in Azad Kashmir. As for the here and there, but broadly Source: Xinhua Net the work on the first phase Gwadar Port, it is a centerpiece of CPEC. ●●● progressed smoothly CPEC's Special Economic PROVINCIAL UPDATES Zones pulling in colossal Remarkable success has been Source: The Nation intrigued achieved in the CPEC Special Economic Zones in Sindh development. It is mainly Applications are being The Sindh Chief Minister was apprised manifested in three aspects received for investment in of SEZ status for Nausheroferoze Faisalabad SEZ while 1. The governments and Industrial Park primarily based on Chinese have been enterprises of China and agro food in Naushahroferoze district. Pakistan are very satisfied expressing their interest in with the progress, He endorsed the applications for SEZ Dhabeji SEZ. Additional land 2. PM said Status for Bholari SEZ which is is being acquired for Hub recently that the corridor is Pakistan’s 1st private sector SEZ Industrial Zone” Chairman an excellent project for situated at Bholari area in District CPEC Authority briefed the Pakistan’s economic and Thatta on the M-9 Motorway Senate Standing Committee social development. (-Hyderabad). on CPEC. 3. 90% of the 22 major projects have been He directed the Board of Revenue completed and put into (BoR) to hand over the possession of operation. 1535 acres of land to Dhabeji SEZ for further development.

He presided over 3rd board meeting of Sindh (SEZA) & approved two SEZs applications

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FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT EXPLORATION PROJECTS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER Source: The Nation Source: Technology Times Source: Dawn Pakistan registers 91pc growth Speaking at a webinar on CPEC Chinese company allowed in FDI under CPEC Businessmen have emphasized the exploration in Saindak area

need for ensuring transfer of In the first 11 months of FY20, technology. Balochistan government has China was the largest investor with net investment of $855.6m. The allowed Chinese firm Chinese Consul General Li Bijian communication sector, attracted assured businessmen that his Metrological Construction the largest foreign investment of consulate was ready to help them Company of China (MCC) — $73.5m in May 2020, followed by to create communication channels registered locally with the oil & gas exploration firms $18.6m with Chinese companies. name of Saindak Metals and financial businesses $15.5m, a Limited (SML) — the Chinese Embassy Minister- renowned Chinese scholar Prof. Counsellor Wang Zhihua revealed Zhou Rong said exploration and development

that China was planning to of East Ore Body in Saindak CPEC Authority Bill 2020 organize a trade fair in November lease area and the company 2020 to strengthen trade ties. has been issued an NoC for Source: Global Village Space the purpose.

CPEC Authority Bill 2020, a IMPORTANT ONE LINERS:  controversial piece of legislation, has proposed to • CPEC generates 75,000 CPEC BUSINESS COUNCIL remove the Minister for jobs in Pakistan. Source: The News planning, development, and • PM Imran Khan says CPEC special initiatives as co- will put Pakistan on path CPEC Business Council reconstituted to chairman of the Joint of rapid progress and accelerate industrialization Cooperation Committee of development. Chairman Board of Investment (BOI) Atif the CPEC • President Dr Arif Alvi said R Bokhari has reconstituted the CPEC that about 90 projects of Business Council. Instead of the planning minister, the CPEC have been CPEC Authority chairman is completed, 28 projects The Adviser to PM for Commerce and proposed to be the co-chair are in implementation Investment , Chairman BOI, Atif Bukhari and of the JCC along with the vice phase and 41 are in the Chairman CPEC Authority, Lt-Gen (R) chairman of the National pipeline. are the Members of Development and Reform • It has been decided by the Steering Committee, including 12 Commission (NDRC) of China. Punjab government to members, from different areas of establish the biggest SEZ cooperation. Opposition parties, including the of the country in The 15-member council will make PML-N & PPP have already Chaubara along the specific recommendations, devise rejected the CPEC Authority Muzaffargarh-Layyah strategies, and develop an integrated and termed it a violation of road in an area that will approach for the private sector recommendations of the cover 20,000 acres. investment in Pakistan under the parliamentary committee • $7.5 billion CPEC concerned. Industrial Cooperation hydropower projects may reduce Pakistan’s reliance on foreign fuel by 2026.