China assists in date processing plants of Balochistan
Our Correspondent
Islamabad: China will assist in developing date processing plants and onion cold storage in Southern Balochistan.
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Syed Fakhar Imam on Friday, had a farewell meeting with outgoing Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, and appreciated his contributions for fostering bilateral ties between the two countries.
It also decided that China will help develop food processing like date plants and onion cold storage in Southern Balochistan. Syed Fakhar Imam acknowledged the existence of expanding friendly relations between the two friendly countries.
He reiterates the importance Pakistan attaches to its relations with the People’s Republic of China. Federal Minister stated that the high-level visits from both sides have opened up new horizons for our bilateral cooperation – particularly in the field of agriculture by signing MOUs and Agreements.
He mentioned that the remarkable contribution of H.E. Mr. Yao Jing for the growth of bilateral cooperation in all spheres has further strengthened our brotherly relations. He appreciated the ambassador’s efforts to push bilateral cooperation within the China – Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) economic framework.
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He mentioned Yao Jing’s substantial contribution to the growth of our bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of agriculture. Syed Fakhar Imam acknowledged his efforts to appoint an Agricultural Counselor in the Chinese Embassy, which has helped in effective coordination in agricultural cooperation.
He appreciated the outgoing ambassador’s interest and persistent help in Pakistan’s efforts to fight against locust and Covid-19. He mentioned that CPEC would go a long way further to strengthen our relations and develop the Agriculture and livestock sector in Pakistan.
Our agricultural cooperation bourgeoned as Yao Jing personally visited the Minister and the Secretary of the NFSR recurrently after assuming his office. He made himself always available for a meeting on concise notice.
It was possible through his efforts that the two sides concluded an MOU on Agricultural Cooperation between the MoNFSR (Pakistan) and MARA (China) during the visit of the Prime Minister of Pakistan to Beijing in November 2018.
This MOU provided a new impetus to agricultural cooperation and paved the way for the signing of a Framework Agreement on Agricultural Cooperation during the Chinese Vice President’s visit to Pakistan in May 2019. The Framework Agreement enabled agricultural cooperation to benefit the CPEC, various zones under CPEC, and the financing available under the CPEC.
The ambassador induced his side for a working-level meeting between the two sides to kick start the process for the JWG. Accordingly, a working-level delegation of Pakistan led by the Senior Joint Secretary (MoNFSR) visited the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs (China) in July 2019.
First China – Pakistan Agricultural Cooperation was held on 30th October 2019 at Serena Hotel, Islamabad. The forum provided a platform for B-2-B interaction with the participation of leading business enterprises from both sides and the conclusion of private sector-related MOUs, i.e., MOUs between CMEC (China) and Fatima Group (Pakistan).
The first meeting of China – Pakistan JWG on Agricultural Cooperation was held on November 01, 2020, in Islamabad. Following the first JWG meeting, Yao Jing persuaded his Government to appoint an Agricultural Diplomat/Counselor who can facilitate coordination for early harvest projects and long-term cooperation projects.
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Subsequently, the Chinese Government appointed Dr. Gu Wenliang as their first-ever Agricultural Counselor/Second Secretary for a period of three years at the Chinese Embassy, Islamabad.MoNFSR prepared and shared the draft Plan of Action on Agricultural Cooperation. Chinese Embassy is continuously following up this with their Authorities for its early finalization. The ambassador and Dr. Gu Wenliang followed up with their side to visit the Chinese Quarantine inspectors to meat processing units and grant market access to Pakistani cherry, potato, and onion.
Mr. Yao Jing pushed Chinese authorities to dispatch a delegation of experts on locust to visit Pakistan in February 2020 at the Chinese Government’s expense to provide technical assistance to Pakistan for controlling locust. He facilitated Pakistan by providing free-of-cost assistance around USD 4.94 million in the shape of 300,000 liters of malathion pesticide and 50 sprayer equipment free of cost online training. The equipment was also provided in three batches to Pakistani by air and sea at the Chinese side’s arrangement.
He persuaded his government to provide medical equipment to Pakistan, including 30,000 masks, 1000 protective goggles, long shoes, and 1000 protective suits for continuity of the field operation against locust by our locust control teams during COVID-19.
He sent a gift of 18,000 masks from his Embassy’s own share for utilization in the MoNFSR as protective gear against COVID-19. An MOU for the establishment of the Plant Disease Control Centre was signed during the President of Pakistan’s visit to China in March 2020. Under this MOU, a Centre for Plant Disease Control will be established at DPP (Karachi) with the Chinese Government’s assistance.
At the height of the COVID-19 plague, H.E. Mr. Yao Jing, through Dr. Gu Wenliang, remained continuously in touch for months. The Chinese side has handed over 12 drones to our Mission in Beijing worth USD 0.168 million as a donation for locust control activities in Pakistan.
NDMA is arranging the transport of these drones from Beijing to Pakistan with Pakistan’s Mission in China. H.E. Mr. Yao Jing, through his personal efforts, convinced China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) for financial assistance equivalent to USD 100,000 to MoNFSR to supplement efforts of the GOP for controlling locust.
