Islamabad, Oct 4: The federal government has prepared 41 investment proposals ahead of Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang’s upcoming visit to Pakistan. Of these, 17 deals are in advanced stages and await only Chinese approval, as reported by the Express Tribune.
One significant proposal includes a revised plan for an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Pakistan is also aiming to finalize funding for critical energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower projects, along with the Gwadar coal power project. Additional proposals encompass agreements for offshore oil and gas exploration and a long-awaited currency swap agreement.
Pakistan is also seeking to finalize a $2 billion deal for the Thakot-Raikot section of the Karakoram Highway. Other items on the agenda include agreements for cultural and educational exchanges, the implementation of smart classrooms, and initiatives for digitization.
Another proposal involves the export of donkey meat to China, with both parties reportedly having reached a verbal agreement on this matter.
Discussions will also cover memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for artificial intelligence projects, advanced metering infrastructure, and non-ferrous metal mining. A currency swap agreement is also likely to be signed, with drafts already approved by the People’s Bank of China and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
Prime Minister Li Qiang’s visit will be the first by a Chinese premier in over a decade and coincides with the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit.
