ISLAMABAD: In order to establish linkages between the private sectors of China and Pakistan after the completion of the first phase of $46 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) by 2018, the government is organising a two-day CPEC Summit and Expo from today (Monday), which will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. More than 140 delegates from China are participating in the summit.“This CPEC summit is aimed at establishing business-to-business (B2B) contacts between Chinese and Pakistanis CEOs of different companies in order to get them ready for the second implementation phase of CPEC beyond 2018 as the energy and road connectivity projects will be completed by that time. “So this is an opportunitytheir linkages for maximizing benefits out of CPEC initiative,” Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal told The News when contacted him over phone here on Sunday. He said $18 billion worth of projects were in the implementation phase while the remaining portfolio of $17 billion was in the pipeline and at the stage of preparation. It has never happened in Pakistan’s history that a piece of paper (MoU) has turned into reality of $46 billion, he added. The CPEC initiative will help establish the right kind of linkages between the two sides provided Islamabad met all timelines by putting all out efforts and energies for creating synergies and harmonization among all different ministries, departments as well as with all provinces. The CPEC initiative, which experts termed as game changer in this part of the world, will be utilizing $35 billion on energy projects which will be undertaken in the mode of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as they will generate electricity and the government will buy from them on the tariff determined by the Nepra. The remaining $11 billion will be spent on infrastructure mainly on construction of roads and development of Gwadar port. “China made commitment for such a huge investment at a time when no one was ready to invest even a penny in this part of the world citing security risks. But its success will also depend upon on us that how we manage these projects in order to extract maximum benefits out from it. If the right kind of linkages could not be established where industries flourished along side roads then it could be turned into danger when time of repatriation of profits for Chinese companies would come.” The Ministry of Planning, Development & Reforms has organized the summit on Monday (today) in which PM Nawaz Sharif will deliver inaugural speech. In this session, Ahsan Iqbal will deliver welcome address while Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khalid, Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Sun Weidong and Special Assistant to PM on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi will also address the inaugural session. Then formal session of summit titled sharing the fruits of regional development will kick-start which will be chaired by Adviser to the PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz. In this session, expert Su Ge will throw light on regional development through ‘One Belt One Road’ initiated by China to establish road connection with different parts of the world in a bid to give boost to its economic power. Yan Zhiyong, Chairman, Power Construction Corporation of China, will deliver a lecture on the role of China in promoting One Belt One Road/CPEC initiative. The interplay between CPEC and OBOR: A Chinese Scholar’s prospective will also be presented in this session. Professor Du Y oukang, Director, Centre for South Asian Studies & Pakistan Study Center, Institute of International Studies, will also speak while Dr Safdar Sohail, Executive Director, Planning Commission’s CPEC Centre of Excellence, Islamabad and former ambassador Munir Akram will also speak on this occasion. Then Pakistan-China CEOs forum will also be held in which business tycoons of both sides will share their experiences and will also suggest ways and means to ensure business to business cooperation in months and years ahead. In the afternoon, three different panels will discuss opportunities for Pakistan’s business under CPEC, business opportunities in energy and connectivity under CPEC and business opportunities in trade and commerce under CPEC will hold different session with different experts in which they will dwell upon on the outcome of $46 billion initiative and how both sides required to place a mechanism under which they could establish long term business to business relations for creating win-win for both sides. The last session of the day will be held under title CPEC and sub regional socio economic development in Pakistan on Monday afternoon. On Tuesday, different industries will arrange an expo exhibition to show different Pak made products. Address from H.E. Madame Speaker Dr. Fehmida Mirza on the Exhibition of "Showcase of a New China" Excellency Luo Zhaohui, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, Members of the diplomatic corps, Guests, ladies & Gentlemen: It's my profound pleasure to be present among you at the inauguration of this highly absorbing and interesting photo exhibition, titled "Showcase of a New China". Indeed an informative and educative venture, this exhibition is surely a befitting tribute to the 57 years of the common trust, time-tested friendship and strategic partnership of our two countries. In the words of Chairman Mao, it's a friendship deeper than the oceans and taller than the Himalayas. I am, therefore, grateful to His Excellency the Ambassador for inviting me here. Ladies & Gentlemen, While we witness the marvels of progress in China, as depicted in these photographs, our thought go back to those Chinese brothers and sisters who braved the fatal shocks of the massive earthquake that hit our friends on May 12, 2008. On behalf of the National Assembly of Pakistan and on my personal behalf, I offer my heart-felt condolences to the Government and people of China o this tragic loss of life and property. Pakistan can never forget the help and support it received from China when a similar tragedy hit us on October 8, 2005. So let me assure you Excellency, that in this hour, we stand by you. We are most eager to offer our help in whatsoever manner your Government desires. The Government of Pakistan has already dispatched two aero planes of relief goods while the Pakistani NGOs are also cobbling up resources in this regard. At the same time, we are also confident that the great Chinese nation will march out of this crisis with dignity and courage as has been the hallmark of the Chinese history. It is this proud tale of resilience that is best depicted in these photographs. In fact, "the Showcase of New China" tell us that this has been a journey from strength to strength; a motivating account of a nation's resolve to progress and prosper. It is thus, a path to be followed by other developing nations of the world. I remember, as a child I was always mesmerized by the skill and proficiency of the Chinese acrobats. I grew up to be impressed by the expertise and professionalism of the Chinese engineers and technicians, who made the eighth wonder of the world possible in shape of the Karakorum Highway. As a student of world politics, I have always found wisdom in the thoughts and philosophy of the Chinese leadership and as a woman, nothing has inspired me more than the touch of the finest Chinese silk. Excellency, you can, therefore, well imagine, how much influence your great nation has on us, the Pakistanis. Nevertheless. for the students of international diplomacy, the friendship between the two nations has much more to offer. In fact, this relationship represents a model for co-existence of two countries with different ideologies, political systems and cultural backgrounds. As Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto once very rightly put it, the relations between China and Pakistan have withstood the rigors of political weather because these are rooted in principles, in geography and in a common political understanding. Both countries have stood together as neighbors and friends in every crisis and at every change in the international and regional situations. Both are averse to foreign aggression and both have respect for each other's sovereignty. The last 57 years of our relations have, therefore, been a step by step development of confidence, mutual benefit, regional stability and inter-dependence for our common good. What is more, today, this strategic partnership is seen as a major factor of stability in the region. I would like to reiterate here our deep concern on the politicization of Beijing Olympics. We are confident that these Games will be the most successful games ever held. In the end, I once again thank the Ambassador for inviting me here and pray that the close cooperation and deep friendship between our two countries would further strengthen in the years to come. May your great Republic march towards progress and may it continue to play its destined role in the preservation and promotion of international peace. I thank you all! Pakistan Zindabad! Pak China Friendship Zindabad!