BEIJING, Jan.28 (INP): The Chinese investment is important for enhancing the yield of crops, modernization of irrigation system, value addition with agricultural and attracting foreign investments in Pakistan said Pakistan Ambassador, Moin ul Haque, reports China Economic Net (CEN).

Addressing the launching of the China-Pakistan Agricultural and Industrial Cooperation Information Platform, he said that this platform has become more important, and momentous as Pakistan and China as celebrating the 70 years of establishment of diplomatic ties. The launching also marks one of the many activities that the two countries have planned this year.

"The support of the Chinese government and enterprises to improve agriculture sector in Pakistan and both Pakistan and China could turn a new page in agriculture and industrial modernization for shared benefits", Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque mentioned during his speech.

He further said that “We are confident that the support of the Chinese government, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China and the Chinese enterprises, We can turn a new page in agriculture and industrial modernization for shared benefits,” he said while addressing the launching ceremony of China-Pakistan Agricultural and Industrial Cooperation Information Platform held online.

The ambassador stated that Pakistan and China are all-weather strategic partners and both countries have deepened their engagements in recent years, and expanded bilateral ties in diverse fields of cooperation.

Moin informed that the Pakistani government has made agriculture and industrial revitalization a linchpin for its broad-based efforts for the socio-economic development, mitigation of climate change, management of urbanization, and national growth and development.

“So in order to achieve this objective, we look forward to the win-win cooperation with China, and ever-increasing economic and trade integration between Pakistan and China has made our two economies, increasingly interdependent,” he further said.

Ambassador added that as the pilot and high-quality demonstration project, China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) plays a pivotal position in the development agenda of Pakistan.

“After the success of its first phase, both sides have mutually agreed that the second phase of CPEC would focus on social-economic development, industrialization, and modernization of agriculture with shared benefits.

During the visit of President Dr. Arif Aliv to Beijing in March last year, the two countries agreed that agricultural cooperation would be included in the framework of CPEC. While during the Second Foreign Ministers Strategic Dialogue held in Hainan in August last year, it was further decided to pay special attention to the production of high yield seed varieties, increase using crops productivity besides the addition of agro-based industry, agricultural technology, fast pest control, and setting up of cold chain network.

He expressed the pleasure that the relevant ministries and the two embassies are working very closely to meet these goals set up by the respective leadership

Moin informed that agriculture contributes almost 18% of GDP, provides employment for about 38% of the total labor force in Pakistan

“Pakistan is among top producers of wheat, sugarcane, rice, and a variety of foods and one of the world's largest sources of livestock offers great potential for major industries of Pakistan, he added.

He stated that China’s rapid rise as the world leader in agricultural modernization, he said the last 40 years of reform and opening up enabled it to unleash a green revolution by reinvigorating its farmlands for increased productivity and ensuring the well being of its farmers.

The ambassador said that the Chinese miracle is worth emulating for developing countries like Pakistan as it also endowed with fertile land abundant water resources as well as four seasons allowing it to grow a variety of crops.

He extended the heartiest congratulations to the China Economic Net and the China Machinery Engineering Corporation for taking important initiative for the establishment of this important platform.

INP/JAVED