Overcoming the shortage of electricity is the priority of the government and work is being carried out round the clock on power projects, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while talking to a delegation of China Machinery Engineering Corporation.
He said that road shows are being conducted in various countries while an investment conference on energy will be arranged in the provincial metropolis. He said that due to the efforts of the government, local and foreign power companies and investors are showing interest to invest in Punjab. He said that cooperation of Chinese company in energy and coal mining sectors would be welcomed.
The meeting agreed on cooperation in energy and coal mining sectors. Provincial Minister for Minerals Chaudhry Sher Ali Khan, Planning and Development chairman, Energy additional chief secretary, Minerals secretary and official concerned were present on the occasion.
The chief minister (CM) said that there are vast opportunities of investment in energy sector in Punjab and the government is offering special incentives for this purpose. He said that work is being carried out expeditiously on power generation projects.
He said that Punjab government is setting up two coal based power plants of 660 megawatt itself and the cooperation of the Chinese company would be welcomed in this regard. He said that provincial government has identified six sites for the setting up of coal-based energy projects and installation work of power plants would be completed speedily and in a transparent manner.
The CM said that setting up of coal-based electricity projects is the priority of the government. He said that Punjab has large reserves of coal and the government wants to utilise these resources for power generation projects however power plants operated with imported coal would be established for the time being. He said that cooperation of Chinese company in mining of coal would be welcomed. He said that new job opportunities would also be created through the mining of coal.
The chief minister directed that provincial authorities and officials of Chinese company should evolve a practicable roadmap for cooperation in energy and coal mining sectors. He said that China is a friend of Pakistan and was extending commendable cooperation in different sectors. He said that collaboration of Chinese company with Punjab government would strengthen relations between the two countries.
China Machinery Engineering Corporation Director General Li Kan expressed desire to cooperate with Punjab government in energy and coal mining sectors. He said that his company has worked on several energy projects in various countries of the world including Pakistan and also has expertise in mining sector.
He said that his company will cooperate with Punjab government in the sector of coal mining. He also gave a detailed briefing to the meeting regarding the activities of China Machinery Engineering Corporation energy projects in various countries improvement of power supply system and curtailing of line losses.
The delegation included Commercial Manager Jenny Wu, Chief Engineer Wang Qingjia, Chief Engineer Ali Raza, Consultant Adil Mahmood and Ashfaq Hussain Malik.
