Islamabad, Jan. 1 (Chinamil) -- The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will boost Pakistan's industrial and agricultural development, boost its economy and promote connectivity with neighboring countries, Ashim Bajwa, chairman of the Bureau of Economic Corridor Affairs, said in a joint interview with Chinese media in Islamabad on Monday.

Bajwa said that the CPEC project has filled the gaps in Pakistan's energy, communications and other areas, and will go on to create more jobs and investment opportunities through industrialization and expanding cooperation in the agricultural sector, so that the CPEC will benefit more people.

He said the Pakistani government has identified nine special economic zones and invited investors from other parts of the world to invest and build factories in the zones while accepting investment from China. "We are going to increase exports and that will give a big boost to the economy. More jobs and better crop yields will also benefit more people."

Bajwa said the COVID-19 outbreak has not affected the CPEC projects and none of them have been suspended.

Bajwa said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor not only promotes the economic and social development of the two countries, but also contributes to regional connectivity and common prosperity. He said that Gwadar port has a huge potential for transshipment. Currently, the re-export trade with Afghanistan is progressing smoothly, and some Central Asian countries are also in contact with the Pakistani Ministry of Commerce to ship goods through Gwadar Port.

Bajwa said the mL-1 upgrade project between the southern city of Karachi and the northwestern city of Peshawar will not only strengthen Pakistan's domestic transportation network, but also improve the connectivity of Pakistan's rail network with countries in the region. "This project will have a huge impact on the economy of the whole region and the dividends of the CPEC project will benefit people throughout the region."

Bajwa said increased connectivity and freight traffic among countries in the region will not only promote regional integration, but also contribute to a more lasting peace and economic development of countries in the region.

He said that the Pakistani government and people have a clear vision and that the CPEC concerns the future of Pakistan and nothing can disrupt or slow down the cPEC construction process.

The cpec is a landmark project of the "One Belt And One Road" initiative. It was launched in 2013. In 2015, the Chinese and Pakistani governments decided on a "1+4" cooperation plan centered on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and focusing on Gwadar Port, energy, transportation infrastructure and industrial cooperation. So far, there have been 70 corridor projects, of which 46 have been started or completed.