Chinese telecom corporation team meets Zardari

By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday called for setting up a Telecom University, a Telecom Research and Development Centre and a plant to manufacture and assemble mobile handsets in the country.

Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the call was made when a delegation of Chinese Telecom conglomerate ZTE called on the president at the Presidency.

The five-member delegation that called on the president was led by Luo Pingfan, Dy Chairman ZTE and also included Ambassador of China Luo Zhaohui.

The president said that the government would provide land for the Telecom varsity in Haripur where the nucleus of telecom training facilities already existed and also offered facilities for establishing an R&D Centre in Islamabad and the mobile handsets manufacturing plant.

He said that the president appreciated the ZTE’s role in the development of Pakistan’s Telecommunication sector and said that Chinese companies had made significant contributions to Pakistan’s economy through direct investment.

The president called upon ZTE to develop technical skills of the local labour force. He said that Chinese investment and cooperation could help develop Pakistan as regional hub for manufacturing for which low cost labour force was available in Pakistan.

He also called upon the ZTE to develop a research and development centre in telecommunication and a plant for manufacture of mobile handsets in Pakistan.

He said that he was keenly awaiting his visit to China later this month to further consolidate the relations between the two countries which he said was “an important factor for peace and stability in the region and the world”.

The president underscored the importance of closer collaboration and coordination between Pakistan and China in view of complexities of regional and global situation.

He said that Pakistan would continue to support China on all issues of national importance to it.

The Chinese delegation thanked President Zardari and the government of Pakistan for providing it necessary back up and support to carry out its investment plan in Pakistan.

Secretary General to President Salman Faruqi, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Water Resources Kamal Majidullah, Ambassador at Large Khalil Ahmad and senior official of the foreign office also attended the meeting.

President for setting up telecom university, cell phones plan