Agriculture projects under CPEC to ensure scientific farming, says Shibli Faraz

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz has said that the addition of agricultural component in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would help in developing scientific farming, increasing crop yield and ensuring food security in the country.
Talking to Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan during a farewell meeting here on Wednesday, the minister said that cultural diplomacy is vital in promoting people-to-people contacts and enhancing understanding of each other’s values and traditions.
He said that cultural events in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan as well as in Gilgit-Baltistan would be well received. Apart from other relevant institutions, Lok Virsa would also provide the necessary coordination for enhancing cultural outreach and facilitate the Chinese cultural troupes, said a press release.
The information minister appreciated Yao Jing’s successful tenure as Ambassador of China to Pakistan and his role and services in further promoting bilateral relations in areas mutually beneficial for the peoples of both countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing said his country desires its cultural troupes to visit Pakistan’s smaller cities and towns to provide an opportunity to common man to enjoy the Chinese cultural flavor.
He said a fast emerging, stable and prosperous Pakistan is in sight as its economy was making strides and the environment for investment had tremendously improved, opening a myriad of opportunities for growth and development. He hinted at media exchanges and orientation/training programmes for young journalists.
The Chinese ambassador said that the relationship between China and Pakistan is moving forward in accordance with the vision of leadership. He lauded Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of due importance to the well-being of the general public.
The Chinese ambassador apprised the minister that the year 2021, being the 70th anniversary year of Pak-China relations, a number of programmes, activities and exchanges are being firmed up in the spheres of culture and media.
Ambassador Yao Jing said Chinese side will be sending an agricultural group to Pakistan to look into proposals for betterment of the agriculture sector and also strengthening agri-educational institutions to impart skill development and vocational training to farmers in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the business community is the lifeline of the country’s economy and the government is committed to facilitating them in promoting trade activities.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz said this on Wednesday while addressing the business community after inaugurating an auditorium in the Export Display Centre building of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI).
He said the contribution of the business community in economic progress is unprecedented and unmatched. In the past, the business community was not given the importance it deserved, the minister said and added he understands the problems and issues of the business community and would extend all possible help for resolving their issues.
Faraz said that the business community should identify the opportunities of joint ventures in foreign countries and added the government would facilitate them in their materialization.
He said the business community extended support to the government during COVID-19 pandemic and the government was taking steps to protect their respect and ensure dignity in the society. Due to the prudent decisions of the Prime Minister Imran Khan, economic activities have been restored in the country, he added.
He congratulated Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI) for constructing a state-of-the-art auditorium in its new building and stressed that federal ministers of finance, commerce and other business related ministries should hold policy dialogues at this facility to evolve consensus on economic policies. – TLTP