| Pakistani President reviews progress on Pak China collaborative projects |
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| Saturday,May 23,2009 Posted: 23:53 BJT(53 GMT) |
| From:APP Article type:Reproduced |
ISLAMABAD, May 21 (APP): International bids have been invited for the building of Bhasha dam project with incentive clause for early completion and three Chinese companies were also among the bidders. President Zardari was informed this during a meeting at the Presidency which was held to discuss the follow up action on Pak-China collaborative projects today. The meeting was presided over by President Asif Ali Zardari to monitor the progress on ongoing Chinese aided projects in Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Interior Rehman Malik, Advisor Finance Shaukat Tarin, Advisor Petroleum Dr. Asim, Special Assistant to PM on Water Kamal Majidullah, Secretary General Salman Faruqi, besides secretaries and senior officials of relevant ministries.
The Chinese Ambassador in Islamabad was also invited to the meeting.
Talking to the media about the meeting Spokesperson of the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said the feasibility study of the dam had already been offered to Chinese companies.
The President was informed that WAPDA had also invited bids for project consultancy on international competitive bid (ICB) basis.
Special invitation had also been extended to the three Gorges Dam Corporation of China to participate in the construction of the dam and other projects.
The President was also briefed about the ongoing collaborative projects undertaken with China recently following the President’s visit to China, the Spokesperson said.
About progress in other areas the meeting was informed that Chinese companies were invited to visit Pakistan to explore possibility of transfer of hybrid technology.
A Chinese delegation visited Pakistan about two weeks ago and brought with them hybrid rice seeds for sowing in selected areas in Pakistan on experimental basis.
Other Chinese companies are on way to Pakistan with sample of hybrid seed of cotton and wheat and drip irrigation technology to optimize use of irrigation water and save water resources.
The state run Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences had been involved in imparting technical expertise and in coordination with the Chinese companies, the meeting was informed.
A MoU has already been signed with the Agricultural Sciences Academy of China envisaging cooperation and joint research in hybrid technology, horticulture, water conservancy and rice cultivation in collaboration with the Rice Research Institute in Dokri.
While hybrid seed had already arrived in Pakistan the machines for drip irrigation are on their way and being airlifted.
The meeting was also informed that an exceptionally good wheat crop is expected this year which would necessitate the building of additional storage capacity on fast track basis to avoid damage to wheat stored in the open.
The President advised the government to immediately undertake the project of building additional wheat storage capacity.
He said the money spent today on building the storage capacity will be more than recovered by avoiding loss due to damage to the wheat stored in the open.
The President also advised the government to consider using the latest fast building machines for constructing shelters for the internally displaced persons in the Frontier province in addition to building storage capacity.
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Bilateral Visits
