ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar on Friday said that the government was considering to establish a Pak-China business council to promote private sector role in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Addressing the CPEC Forum, organised by Zalmi Foundation in collaboration with Embassy of China, the minister said relations between the two countries span over more than seven decades and the China-Pakistan Eco­nomic Corridor was an important outcome of the bilateral relations.

He said under CPEC a huge investment was made in energy sector during the last six years which helped Pakistan coming out of energy crisis.

The minister said now the country was undertaking structural reforms and the government was committed to strengthening public sector institutions.

He said in order to boost country’s gross domestic product growth rate, the tax circle would have to be expanded.

Keeping in view the lower volume of exports, the minister said, the government was now focusing on promoting industrial and agricultural cooperation with China.

He said the agriculture sector possessed a huge potential which would be fully utilised with cooperation of China.

He pointed out that for socio-economic development, China would extend a grant of $1 billion to Pakistan.

The socio economic development includes various sectors such as education, health, water, poverty alleviation, and others, he added.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2019