Pakistan welcomes Iran's desire to participate in CPEC
EghtesadOnline: Pakistan Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said Pakistan cordially welcomes the desire of neighboring and regional countries, including Iran, to participate in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project (CPEC).
In an interview, he said Iran, Afghanistan and some other regional countries have expressed their interest in the project, which will further increase regional connectivity and cooperation.
The minister reiterated the Government's stance that the project is in the best interest of the entire region.
He said CPEC is aimed at bolstering trade and economic cooperation in the whole region and is not limited to China and Pakistan, reports IRNA.
About the reservations shown by different political groups regarding the project, Ahsan Iqbal said CPEC remains the most debated project in the parliament and all concerns raised were addressed with nothing hidden about the project.
China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) is a mega project between the two countries under which China will invest $46 billion in Pakistan.
The economic corridor is about 3000 kilometers long consisting of highways, railways and pipelines that will connect China’s Xinjiang province to Pakistan’s Gwadar port. The project is crucial for both the countries.
Iran had shown willingness to become part of the CPEC in a meeting between President Hassan Rouhani and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in New York.