ISLAMABAD, Jan 4 (NNN-APP) – Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan, inaugurated the Allama Iqbal Industrial City, a special economic zone (SEZ), under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), in the east Faisalabad city on Friday, the PM’s office said.
Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony of the SEZ, the prime minister termed CPEC as a golden opportunity for industrial development of Pakistan and the SEZ, the first step towards the future of his country.
China is Pakistan’s close friend, and it is developing with leaps and bounds in every field, he said, adding that, Pakistan has a great opportunity to make progress by learning from China, and diversifying CPEC by developing industrial and agricultural sectors.
“Many Chinese industrialists want to invest in Pakistan. I met many Chinese businessmen during my visit to China last year and they showed keen interest to invest here, provided we give them suitable environment. SEZ will provide that environment to them and give them confidence to relocate their industries in Pakistan.”
Talking about the rising number of unemployed youth in his country, the prime minister said, the industrialisation process in the country will also open employment opportunities for the youth.
Citing China’s example to bring out a large number of people from poverty through wealth creation, Khan said, his country also wants to follow the same model, and Pakistani officials had several briefings by the Chinese on poverty alleviation.
According to the government, the Allama Iqbal Industrial City is likely to have investment of 400 billion Pakistani rupees (about 2.58 bln U.S. dollars), and create 300,000 direct and one million indirect employments.– NNN-APP