Pakistan has compiled a comprehensive list of over 70 projects across various sectors for Chinese cooperation under the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This wish list, set to be presented to the Chinese Prime Minister next month, aims to enhance CPEC by introducing five new corridors: growth, innovation, green, livelihood, and opening-up, alongside regional connectivity.
The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has confirmed the successful completion of CPEC’s first phase and its transition into the second phase. Following a meeting with China’s Vice Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission, an agreement was reached to conduct a high-level workshop to align Pakistan’s 5Es framework with the proposed five corridors and President Xi’s eight points for the Belt and Road Initiative.
The proposed projects include:
INFRASTRUCTURE: This category features studies on follow-up technical support for the New Gwadar International Airport project, Phase II of the East Bay Expressway, the realignment of the Karakoram Highway (Railkot-Thakot) project (N35), the phased-upgradation of the Main Line 1 (ML-1) project, and the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project.
ENERGY AND MINERALS: Key projects in this category include the GEIP LNG terminal project, the National Refinery upgrading and expansion project, the Suki Kinari Hydropower station, and the Siyadik Copper Project.
INDUSTRIAL COOPERATION: Proposed initiatives include the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone, the Rashakai Industrial Park Project, the Omara Port ship repair project, the Juncao cultivation demonstration and extension project, the Buffalo Breeding and Dairy Processing Project, and the Pepper cultivation demonstration and extension project.
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION: Focus areas include establishing the China-Pakistan Earth Science Research Centre and promoting Pakistani universities within the China-Pakistan Belt and Road joint Laboratory on Intelligent Disaster Prevention.
SMALL YET SMART LIVELIHOOD: Projects aim to launch the China-Pakistan Vocational and Technical Exchange and Training Program, establish a China-Pakistan Joint Laboratory for Agricultural Technology, provide aid for flood-affected areas, and implement the China-Pakistan South Cooperation Material Assistance Project to combat climate change.
BILATERAL TRADE AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION: The government plans to implement the second-phase protocol of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA), explore co-concession arrangements, strengthen industrial cooperation between the two countries, accelerate the construction of ancillary facilities at Gwadar Port, and promote long-term planning for China-Pakistan mining collaboration.
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DIGITAL ECONOMY: This category includes supporting Chinese-funded enterprises in building digital infrastructure in Pakistan, encouraging the development of high-quality projects in software, cloud computing, and big data, jointly promoting technological innovation, enhancing standardization efforts, improving exchanges in radio spectrum management, and strengthening collaboration on network and data security.
This multifaceted approach aims to solidify and expand cooperation between Pakistan and China, enhancing economic growth and connectivity.
