GwadarPort to play a very important role in the socio-economic development of the country in general and that of Balochistan in particular once the Gwadar Port Free Zone. the NewGwadarInternationalAirport and the Gwadar Port Eastbay Expressway Projects are completed in the very near future.
Presiding over a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping here Tuesday, Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah, MNA said that the development of Gwadar Port and the City had been priority projects of the previous and present governments and expressed his hope that with the completion of necessary infrastructure like water, power and road connectivity the country’s economy would see a steep rise leading to socio-economic change in the region.
The Committee observed that it should be our collective responsibility to ensure that all the basic services and tax policies that are required to make a port fully functional were provided, which also include incentives to the port operators and aspiring investors. The NA Standing Committee extended its all out support to the Ministry of Ports and Shipping and the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) in their endeavours to make the port a success story. He also praised the role of the Ministry, especially the efforts of SecretaryPorts and Shipping, Khalid Pervez for working day and night for early completion of port-related projects and schemes.
On the occasion, Senator Kamran Michael, Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping apprised the members of the parliament about a number of development projects either underway or to be started very soon including the construction of Gwadar Port Eastbay Expressway costing over Rs. 14.00 billion. This expressway with six-lane dual carriageway along with a two-way railway line would connect the port with the Mekran Coastal Highway. This project, which is being constructed under the CPEC would ensure fast and unhindered cargo shipment to and from the port thereby eliminating the congestion on the existing single-track access road passing through urban population. While responding to the queries raised by members of the committee, the Secretary Ports and Shipping informed that the relevant ministries have already been approached to address issues pertaining to infrastructure development including water, power, communication sectors, as well as a comprehensive tax exemption package for operators and investors in Gwadar Port and it’s Free Zone.
During the meeting members of committee gave inputs, suggestions and proposals in order to overcome the issues and problems being faced by the Port Authorities and the China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC), the port operators in carrying out commercial activities vis-à-vis developing the Gwadar Port Free Zone, owing to lack of infrastructure facilities and certain taxes, levies and duties impediments. One of the members, Malik Muhammad Aamir Dogar, MNA suggested the Committee Chairman to personally approach the government in early issuance of necessary SRO regarding tax exemptions.
Earlier, the 11-member delegation of NA Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping drove straight from airport to visit the Gwadar Port Civic Centre; the Gwadar Free Zone site and the Gwadar International Terminal to see on-the-ground activities. Chairman GPA, Dostain Khan Jamaldini; Project Director Engineer Naveed Sheikh and Chief Executive Officer of COPHC, Zhang Baozhong made detailed presentations of their respective development plans and activities.
The Committee was informed that the first phase of the port with three multipurpose berths having a total quay length of 602 metres is fully operational including an additional 100-metre service jetty and RORO facility.
F or development of Free Zone the federal government provided Rs. 6.40 billion to Balochistan government for acquisition of land. The Free Zone is being developed on the Eastbay of Gwadar Port. The Committee was informed that in the pilot phase beside construction of a large display and exhibition centre, a number of other facilities are being developed on 60-acre area of the Free Zone adjacent to the existing port and will be completed by the end of 2017. The Committee was briefed that the year 2016 is launching of major CPEC projects in Gwadar.
PREVIOUS NEXT
