Saudi energy minister announced to set up a $10 billion oil refinery in Pakistan\u2019s deepwater port of Gwadar, one step of goals the Kingdom tries to achieve in Pakistan.<\/p>\n
Ariana News Agency-\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Pakistan wants to attract investment and other financial support to tackle a soaring current account deficit caused partly by rising oil prices. Last year, Saudi Arabia offered Pakistan a $6 billion package that included help to finance crude imports.<\/p>\n \u201cSaudi Arabia wants to make Pakistan\u2019s economic development stable through establishing an oil refinery and partnership with Pakistan in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor,\u201d Saudi Energy Khalid al-Falih told reporters in Gwadar.<\/p>\n He said Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman would visit Pakistan in February to sign the agreement. The minister added that Saudi Arabia would also invest in other sectors.<\/p>\n Beijing has pledged $60 billion as part of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that involves building power stations, major highways, new and upgraded railways and higher capacity ports, to help turn Pakistan into a major overland route linking western China to the world.<\/p>\n \u201cWith setting up of an oil refinery in Gwadar, Saudi Arabia will become an important partner in CPEC,\u201d Pakistan Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said.<\/p>\n The Saudi news agency SPA earlier reported that Falih met Pakistan\u2019s petroleum minister and Maritime Affairs Minister Ali Zaidi in Gwadar to discuss cooperation in refining, petrochemicals, mining and renewable energy.<\/p>\n It said Falih would finalize arrangements ahead of signing memorandums of understanding.<\/p>\n Since the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan came to power in August, Pakistan has secured economic assistance packages from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and China.<\/p>\n In November, Pakistan extended talks with the International Monetary Fund as it seeks its 13th bailout since the late 1980s to deal with a looming balance of payments crisis.<\/p>\n The Pakistani prime minister\u2019s office had said on Thursday that Islamabad expected to sign investment agreements with Saudi Arabia and the UAE in coming weeks.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Saudi Arabia\u2019s Oil Money in Pakistan; Spent on Terrorism<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n