Cabinet Committee Plans to Increase Participation of Gwadar Port in Import Orders for Public Bodies
In the meeting, at Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan convened yesterday to consider using Gwadar Port for public import order supply. The strategy committee hoped to divert around 60% of wheat imports, fertilizer imports, sugar importation, and some. others coming into the ports exclusively at Karachi through this facility.
Among those attending the meeting were Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, senior. officials. from different ministries such as commerce, maritime affairs, interior, and planning. The committee debated the way to increase the benefits of Gwadar Port. so that it would emerge as a main importing terminal.
The committee reviewed progress. on present plans and outlined strategies to raise the utilization. of the port, They agreed to convene once a month and report quarterly to the cabinet on this initiative’s progress. Special attention was given toward. importing bulk commodities like wheat, sugar, and urea into Gwadar.
The two-part plan envisioned by Jam Kamal Khan was for:
Developing a general strategy to fully integrate Gwadar Port into the national trade nexus of Pakistan
Focusing on quick gains, such as routing public sector imports through the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP).
The committee also discussed the possibility of containerized imports and exports through Gwadar and stressed the importance of attracting, private. sector goods to the port by offering necessary incentives
A proposal was made to constitute a dedicated working group involving the private sector in Gwadar’s development. The committee also discussed Gwadar’s potential for transshipment and transit to Afghanistan and Central Asian countries.
China’s interest to use Gwadar under One Belt, One Road, and the need, to look into the cost difference between Gwadar and Karachi ports in order to remain competitive, especially in government-to-government deals.
Further discussions were held over, improving the business environment for Gwadar Port, in the form. of better road and rail links, insurance, and security arrangements. The working paper on these aspects will be presented to the Prime Minister at the next meeting.
This aims to position Gwadar Port as the center of activity. in Pakistan’s trade and logistics network. Continuing a strategy under supportive government policy and partnership, public import, related activities at Gwadar and. regional trade through this port will rise in volume in the years to come.
