Islamabad, 24 August 2011: The President today directed that procedural formalities concerning Guddu & Uch transmission line projects should be completed in time so that the signing agreement could take place in September this year.

 

This he said when a leading Chinese company dealing in power transmission projects called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr today.

 

The delegation was headed by Mr. Ye Jun, the head of the company called TBEA. He was accompanied by Country representative of TBEA in Pakistan Mr. Zhou Liliang and Mr. Chen Qinliang.

 

Pak side included Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Water & Power, Secretary General Mr. M. Salman Faruqui, Secretaries Finance and Economic Affairs divisions, Chairman WAPDA Mr. Shakeel Durrani, and other senior officials.

 

The President said that Pakistan was facing difficulties in meeting its energy requirements. To improve energy resources, the President said, we are focused on building mega hydropower projects in Diamer Bhasha and Bunji. The President said that developing Thar coal fields and electricity generation through gasification of coal was also on cards to meet energy requirements.

 

The President, during the meeting, appreciated TBEA’s interest in Pakistan and its $3.5 billion agreement with Pakistan’s NTDC (National Transmission & Despatch Company)  and China Development Bank to supply transmission equipment to Pakistan. He also welcomed company’s interest in acquiring Heavy Electrical Complex saying that the greater business ventures of the company in the country would contribute towards further strengthening Pak-China relationship.

 

He said the Pakistan welcomes Chinese companies and businessmen to take advantage of the investment and business friendly policies offered by the country. The President said that the energy sector was one of the most important sectors where Pakistan needs assistance and cooperation of Chinese friends.

 

The President said that we need to revamp existing transmission lines and build new ones for efficient transmission on one hand and to reduce line losses on the other. The contributions of TBEA, the President noted, would contribute significantly towards this end.

 

The President reiterated Government’s full support and facilitation to the incoming investors and businessmen-especially the Chinese and said that the Government would take care of their security requirements, if any.

 

Mr. Ye Jun thanked the President for meeting and assured that TBEA would continue to make its contributions in assisting Pakistan in the energy sector.

 

It may be recalled that the President has been focusing on the strengthening of the energy sector with the Chinese assistance and had also met the Chairman of the Board of TBEA during his previous visit to China.