News Analysis |
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has asked the Balochistan government to draw development plans and has promised that the federal government will pay half the expenses for all developmental projects.
Addressing the opening ceremony of the two-day Gwadar Expo in Gwadar, the prime minister announced an ‘Equalisation Package’ for Balochistan under which the federal government would provide 50% funding for development works in every district of the province.
“The Equalisation Package will ensure the provision of equal facilities in all districts of the province to achieve the goal of sustainable development,” the Premier said.
Responding to a question about security, he informed the press that the security situation was under control and the administration is not under any threat in that regard.
He also told the ceremony that a free zone is an integral part of the Gwadar port and with it, the Gwadar port project will pave the way for the speedy development of Balochistan and create ample jobs opportunities. The PM said it was the responsibility of the Balochistan government to find solutions to its problems and meet the challenges, assuring that the federal government will provide all assistance required by the province.
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He labelled the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as “the most important initiative of our generation and the most visible part of the Belt and Road Initiative”. He added the project was the realisation of the vision of Chinese President Xi Jinping and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“The CPEC is a reality now,” Abbasi said, adding that under the project, motorways and highways were linking Gwadar and Khanjurab and Peshawar and Karachi. He added that railway lines were being modernised, power projects were being established and special economic zones would generate employment.
The South Area of Free Zone (phase-II) will develop a commercial logistics zone with the leading functions of commodity exhibition, transit and distribution relying on the existing port as well as fishery processing.
The Gwadar Expo is being jointly organised by the Gwadar Development Authority and the China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC). It aimed at providing a platform for interaction between local, foreign private sector and government officials for exploring investment opportunities.
On the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing reaffirmed his country’s support for Pakistan for its progress and prosperity. “Chinese businessmen will continue to invest in the developmental projects of Gwadar,” he said. COPHC Chairman Zhang said that the development of Gwadar would not only help improve the local economy but also the overall economic conditions of the country.
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Chinese Counselor Jiang Han Friday said the first-ever two-day Gwadar Expo-2018, would help provide more business opportunities to foreign entrepreneurs under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Speaking to the press, the counselor said the exhibition would provide an opportunity for Chinese and Pakistani businessmen to learn more about opportunities under CPEC.
Mr. Han also informed the press that the Gwadar Port was now connecting Karachi by marine high coast way and correcting Punjab and Sindh Province with M-8 highway. He said Gwadar Free Zone would be built adjacent to Gwadar Port.
In the exhibition, the counselor said that around 5,000 companies from various countries had applied to set up 150 booths to showcase their products. He said as many as 18 booths had been allocated to local companies free of cost. “We are confident that participants will support this conference and the exhibition will provide a unique opportunity to deepen business ties between Pakistani and Chinese companies,” he added.
To a question, he said the main objective of the Expo was to highlight the significance of Gwadar and promote and Special Economic Zones as an emerging business hub. He said that the Expo would help create maximum awareness about the full scope of Gwadar projects, adding, “The expo will provide a platform of interaction between local and foreign business entrepreneurs.”
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Jiang Han informed that the Gwadar Port had three multifunctional berths, which could accommodate two 50,000-ton vessels simultaneously including 5 STS cranes, 400 Rf reefer container allocations and the stack yard of 500,000 square meters. He said the port could handle containers and other goods including bulk-cargo general cargo and RORO.
The Gwadar Expo is being jointly organised by the Gwadar Development Authority and the COPHC. It aimed at providing a platform for interaction between local, foreign private sector and government officials for exploring investment opportunities.
Speaking about seafood, he said that presently seafood containers from Pakistan’s western coast area could be exported through Gwadar Port to China, Middle East and other regions.
Mr. Han also informed the press that the Gwadar Port was now connecting Karachi by marine high coast way and correcting Punjab and Sindh Province with M-8 highway. He said Gwadar Free Zone would be built adjacent to Gwadar Port. The South Area of Free Zone (phase-II) will develop a commercial logistics zone with the leading functions of commodity exhibition, transit and distribution relying on the existing port as well as fishery processing.
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Regarding the Gwadar airport’s overhaul process, Mr. Han said that the aim was to create a larger facility as compared to the Jinnah International airport Karachi. Responding to a question about security, he informed the press that the security situation was under control and the administration is not under any threat in that regard.