GWADAR: The first Pakistan-China technical vocational institute was inaugurated here on Friday.

The project was launched under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Gwadar.

Nong Rong, China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, attended the inauguration ceremony through video link.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rong said that the institute, which had been completed at a cost of $10 million in only 20 months, was a sign of 70 years of Pak-China friendship.

He said that the institute had been equipped with the state-of-the-art machinery for imparting the best technical education and skills to the youths of Balochistan, especially of Gwadar.

The Chinese envoy said that the students would be not only provided free accommodation but also scholarships during training in the institute.

Zhang Baosheng, Chairman of the China Overseas Port Holding Company, said that the institute was an excellent institution not only for Gwadar but also for the entire region which would play a significant role in the region’s development.

He said its establishment would play an important role in securing decent employment by imparting vocational training to talented youths. “Technical institutes play an important role in industrial development and the trained youths would have golden opportunities to get employment in Gwadar Port, Free Zone Industry and other projects of the CPEC,” he added.

General Officer Commanding 44 Div Major General Inayat Hussain, Rear Admiral Jawad Ahmed of Pakistan Navy, Chairman of Chinese company Kopak, Zhang Bausing, Chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority Naseer Khan Kashani, Commanding Officer 440 Brigade Brigadier Fahad Mansoor Kayani, Assistant Commissioner of Gwadar Raja Athar Abbas, students and teachers of Pak-China School also attended the ceremony.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2021