URUMQI: China is poised to work with Central Asian countries under a regional
economic co-operation programme to develop the area's infrastructure and enhance
its investment environment, a senior Chinese official said on Friday.
"China stands ready to work with all parties to enhance the investment
environment in the region, particularly in key areas such as transport and
energy," Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan said.
"Rapid economic growth in the (Central Asian) region will not be possible
without well-developed infrastructure," Zeng said, adding that China's priority
will be establishing a functional road, rail and air transport network in the
region.
He made the remarks at the 5th Ministerial Conference on Central Asia
Regional Economic Co-operation (CAREC), a one-day meeting in Urumqi, capital of
Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Initiated by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in 1997 as a regional economic
co-operation framework, CAREC aims to alleviate poverty and spur economic
development in its member countries through more efficient regional economic
collaboration.
Besides China, CAREC currently has seven other member countries including
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan and
Uzbekistan.
The vice-premier announced at the meeting that China will provide US$500,000
to human resources development initiatives under the CAREC programme.
The fifth CAREC ministerial meeting adopted a comprehensive action plan
calling on member countries to strengthen momentum and increase the benefits of
regional co-operation.
Also at the meeting were six CAREC multinational partners including the ADB,
World Bank, Islamic Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund. They
agreed to double their financial and technical support for the CAREC programme
over the next three years to US$2.3 billion.
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