Tuesday, April 03, 2012
Af News World
During his stay, the Prime Minister addressed the opening session of the Forum and shared his views on ‘Asia in the changing world.
The Prime Minister was seen off at the Sanka Phoenix International airport by Mayor of Sanka Wang Yong.
PM said that the government aims to increase the economic growth rate by six to seven per cent.
“The government has also taken effective measures to boost the economy,” said Gilani.
Gilani urged the EXIM Bank of China to focus on construction of small and medium dams to help the country to meet its agriculture needs.
Talking to the President of the Export-Import Bank of China Li Ruogu, here on the sidelines of the BOAO Economic Forum, Prime Minister Gilani appreciated the role of the bank in funding different development projects in the country.
He particularly noted that the EXIM bank was funding projects worth US $3.8 billion in different sectors of Pakistan.
He said the EXIM bank was playing a key role in the economic development of Pakistan.
He appreciated its role in funding of the major projects like the expansion of the Karakoram Highway, Gawadar and the Neelum- Jhelum project.
The President of the bank said Chinese companies were keen to invest in Pakistan and said all measures would be taken to ensure timely completion of the project that were vital to Pakistan’s economic development.
Prime Minister Gilani said a delegation from the Economic Affairs Division will visit China on April 9 to finalise the development projects.
He also directed the Finance Minister to ensure that foreign investors are fully facilitated and benefited from the investor- friendly atmosphere.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Minister for Finance Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar also attended the meeting.
On April 1, Pakistan and Iran reiterated here their commitment to complete their trans-border gas pipeline project despite US opposition and pressure.
According to sources, Gilani and Iranian Vice-President Mohammad Javad Mohammadizadeh expressed their deep desire for speedy completion of the project and also decided to help each other in exploring avenues of alternative financial support.
Their meeting was the first high-level contact between the two countries after a consortium led by the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China reportedly backed off last month from providing financial advisory services for the project apparently because of US opposition to the plan.
Posted in: Pakistan
