NEWSLETTER Issue 06 • Sep 2018

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NEWSLETTER Issue 06 • Sep 2018 CPEC & GWADAR The Minister of Planning, Development & Reform, Khusro Bakhtiar, dismissed the Washington Posts “China’s debt traps around the world are a trademark of its imperialist ambitions” report and has clarified that there are no gated communities for China in Gwadar or any other part of the country and no such scheme is even planned. Moreover, in response to the article’s claims regarding Chinese companies employing their own security forces, the Ministry reiterates that the security of all Chinese in Pakistan is the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan and the Pakistani Security Institutions alone. “A Chinese finance in transport infrastructure sector in Pakistan is mostly in the form of interest-free or government concessional loans to be paid in 25 years period. It would have no repayment burden in near future,” said Bakhtiar regarding claims in the article about debt burden due to Chinese investment in Pakistan.Bakhtiar further added that the energy projects of CPEC are being executed under Independent Power Producers (IPPs) mode which means that financing of energy projects are mainly taken by the private company from China Development Bank and China Exim Bank against their own balance sheets, therefore, any debt would be borne by the Chinese investors instead of any obligation on part of the Government of Pakistan. aim to find investment opportunities Saudi Arabia to Gwadar development is finance CPEC in Pakistan. the focal point in CPEC In the maiden visit to Saudi Arabia, The trade delegation visited the port project, says PD&R Prime Minister Imran Khan has city of Balochistan, Gwadar and reviewed development on ongoing offered oil-rich K ingdom's M i n i s t e r f o r P l a n n i n g , CPEC projects. leadership to invest in multi-billion Development & Reform (PD&R), The delegation during the visit was dollar project, CPEC and the Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar has briefed over the China-Pakistan government of Saudi Arabia has said that CPEC growth projections Economic Corridor (CPEC) and agreed and signed three grant and investment thus far is built upon Free-Economic Zone projects by agreements with Pakistan to finance the successful development of Chairman Gawadar Port authority. three road infrastructure and energy Gwadar as the port city is a focal The delegation was also briefed projects under the CPEC plan. point for the corridor to take off. a b o u t f u t u r e v i s i o n s a n d According to Information Minister, The Minister underscored to ensure developmental projects. Fawad Chaudhry the Chinese proper provision of water and The CEO of Chinese overseas port Foreign Minister, Wang Yi has also energy needs for industrial, urban authority also shared details of been apprised of Saudi investment development and real estate projects ongoing Chinese projects in the during his recent visit to Pakistan. to take off in Gwadar. The Minister region. Saudi delegation arrives in PD&R has also emphasized on the The Kingdom is planning to build Pakistan and visits Gwadar safety and security aspect of the Port the oil refinery in Gwadar and has City. A Saudi delegation led by Ahmed showed interest in developing road Hamed Al-Ghamdi, Adviser to the and railways networks in the Port Saudi Minister for Energy arrived in city. Islamabad on a five-day tour with an .

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