100 projects moved for socio-economic dev

The provincial governments have come up with around 100 projects which they desire to be executed under CPEC’s socio-economic spectrum, reports
Of such a long list, 24 projects have been marked for execution for which Chinese development agency— China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA)—would put its fiscal effort to the tune of US$1 billion.
The selection process involved Chinese experts who shortlisted around two dozen projects to be funded with the Chinese grant in the provinces and regions under CPEC.
The projects are related to six designated areas such as education, agriculture, poverty alleviation, skill development, healthcare, water supply, and vocational training projects.
Led by Du Zhenli, A Chinese delegation of 13 experts related to socioeconomic development stayed in Pakistan for 12 days in February.
Chinese experts held meetings with the federal, provincial governments besides officials of Gilgit Baltistan and AJK.
In Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, they received on ground briefings about some of the proposed projects by the provinces.
The projects are related to agriculture, fisheries, livestock, health, solarization of water supply schemes, telemedicine, smart schools.
The 8th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) of CPEC which met in Beijing last year December had constituted a joint working group on socio-economic development. Now, It has devised a draft action plan.
JWG identified six areas for future cooperation which include education, agriculture, poverty alleviation, skill development, healthcare, water supply, and vocational training projects.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the formation of JWG on socio-economic development and MoU on poverty reduction had been signed during Prime Minister Imran Khan’s visit to China in November last year.
Following the formation of JWG, the federal government had sought recommendations from provinces.n