QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan Alyani on Wednesday said his government wanted to benefit from Chinese cooperation in the fields of minerals, fisheries, agriculture and livestock and for establishing technical vocational training centres in the province.

Talking to Chinese Amba­ss­ador Nong Rong, who called on him along with a delegation of investors and officials from several Chin­ese companies, the chief minister vowed to work for early completion of development projects initiated und­er China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the port city of Gwadar.

Provincial ministers Mir Arif Jan Mohammad Hasani and Mir Saleem Ahmed Khosa, Parliamentary Secretaries Bushra Rind and Mir Sikandar Umrani, Chief Secretary Mathar Niaz Rana and other senior officials also attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed steps to enhance cooperation in various sectors, early completion of CPEC projects in Gwadar and other areas of the province and promotion of bilateral relations.

Mr Alyani said early completion of the Gwadar Inter­na­tional Airport would usher in a new era of development in the region and it would also help in attracting foreign investment in Gwadar.

Ambassador Rong praises government for development in Balochistan

“Work is underway on water supply schemes, development of infrastructure, health and education sectors,” he added.

He said previous governments failed to reap benefits from the CPEC project.

“There is a need to set up a Chinese learning centre and vocational training institute in Gwadar,” he said, adding that a skill development programme should be launched for producing a skilled workforce.

Mr Alyani urged the Chin­ese companies to invest in Bal­ochistan and assured them of providing maximum facilities.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chinese envoy appreciated the measures taken by the provincial government for development in Balochis­tan under the leadership of Chief Minister Jam Kamal Alyani.

Mr Rong said a 150-bed hospital was being built by China at Gwadar port, while construction of a road from the port to Gwadar city had been completed.

“Chinese companies will be encouraged to invest in various sectors in Balochis­tan,” he said, adding that food items would be provided to 1,700 deserving families in the province.

Published in Dawn, April 22nd, 2021