KARACHI: A batch of 500 Chinese engineers and managers have arrived to work on Shanghai Electric’s Thar Coal Block-1 Project, a key project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),
The Chinese personnel arrived on a special chartered flight that took off from Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport on Tuesday noon and arrived at Karachi’s Jinnah Terminal.
The engineers and managers were given a warm farewell by executive management of Shanghai Electric, Mr Chen Ganjin, and Mr Liu Guoping, before their departure for Karachi. Upon arrival, they were received by company officials at Jinnah Terminal.
The return of Chinese engineers and managers to Pakistan will expedite work on the Thar Coal Block-1 Project which has been stalled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Li Jigen, CEO Sino Sindh Resources Limited (SSRL), an overseas subsidiary of Shanghai Electric, said that it is a major development for the company and the return of technical and managerial staff will pave way for construction and production work at the Thar Coal Block-1 Project.
He said international travel has become difficult due to coronavirus situation and thanked the authorities both in China and Pakistan for facilitating the chartered flight.
He said the newly-arrived workers will adhere to all COVID-19 safety precautions before joining their duties at the integrated power project in Thar Block-1.
Li Jigen added the acceleration in the Thar Block-1 project following the arrival of Chinese engineers and managerial staff, they will start providing new job opportunities for local professionals in the near future.