QUETTA: A research and investment Chinese company — MCC Tongsin Resources Ltd — has expressed its keen interest in developing the mineral sector of Balochistan.

In a meeting with Chief Minister Jam Mir Kamal Khan Alyani on Wednesday, the MCC Tongsin President Wang Jincheng offered to explore natural resources of the province.

He informed the chief minister that his company has merged with the Chinese firm working on the Saindak project.

He asked the provincial government to allow the company so it could expand Saindak project that would increase jobs opportunities for local people and beneficial for the provincial economy.

“Our company has been working to explore minerals in various countries and owns assets worth $50 billion worldwide,” he said, adding that MCC will recommend the Chinese government to include establishing a mineral park in Balochistan. He also offered to provide assistance to the provincial mineral department in preparing a minister database.

Managing Director Saindak Metal Limited Raziq Sanjrani, Humayun Mehmood of MMC, Secretary Mines and Minerals Balochistan and other concerned officials were also present during the meeting.

Chief Minister Jam Kamal lauding the interest of MCC Tongsin in Balochistan’s mineral sector, said that the relations between Pakistan and China are getting stronger with each passing day. The people of Pakistan applaud the efforts of the Chinese government in supporting development here.

“Unfortunately despite having sufficient natural resources, the sector suffers due to lack of appropriate planning to explore and develop our natural resources,” Jam Kamal added. He added that the Chinese company must share some effective plans for Balochistan’s mineral development and assured the MMC president of his government’s full support in this regard.

Discussing security challenges for Chinese companies and engineers in the province, the chief minister further assured the delegation that security measure across the CPEC routes are safe as our law enforcement agencies, including the army, FC, police and Levis have been safeguarding the CPEC development projects.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2018