Pak-China need to encourage people-to-people contacts, cultural exchange programs and promotion of tourism: Zafar Hasan

Dated : 18 October 2019

Secretary Ministry of Planning Zafar Hasan said that the CPEC is progressing satisfactorily and a lot of challenges related to it have been addressed. He said that under the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision we should deepen the people -to -people contacts, cultural exchange programs, promote tourism and mutual visits from both sides.
Secretary Planning Zafar Hasan was chairing a video conference of Joint Working Group (JWG) on Planning with Deputy Director General NDRC Mr. Gao Jian here at Islamabad on Friday. Additional Secretary/ Project Director CPEC Waqar-ul-Hasan and senior officials from both sides were also present.
Secretary Planning stated that provision of affordable housing is the top priority of the incumbent government. In this regard Naya Pakistan Housing and Development Authority has been established to fast track housing projects and leverage the supply-demand gap in the country.
Zafar Hasan apprised that the Long Term Plan entails promotion of cross border and coastal tourism. He said that both countries should work together to promote tourism.
While talking on video conference, Secretary noted that PM Imran Khan during his recent visit to China suggested enhancing fisheries trade between the two countries. He said in this regard we can enhance the cooperation in establishing fish meal factories, vessels monitoring system and fishing traceability to prevent illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. Oil and gas is another sector where enhanced focus is required. Both sides agreed that interventions in this sector can be taken up following the finalization of oil and gas development plan for Pakistan which is at an advanced stage of completion.
Deputy Director General National Development & Reform Commission (NDRC) Mr. Gao Jian agreed to continue exchange programmes pertaining to training of fishermen. The Chinese side agreed to continue supporting Pakistan in technical and vocational training to develop a skilled manpower including upgrading vocational training institutes, vocational training exchanges, and capacity building of trainers.