A Malaysian delegation headed by Former Prime Minister of Malaysia Mr. Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, and including Mr. Seri Jamil Bidin, Chief Executive Officer, Halal Industry Development Corporation, Malaysia and leading businessmen held meeting with the Federal Minister for Ports & Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo yesterday to discuss and explore possibilities of cooperation and investment in the shipping sector of Pakistan. The visiting delegation was briefed by Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo on the ongoing projects being executed by the Ministry and the future plans for development of maritime sector. The Minister for Ports & Shipping emphasized the importance of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Gwadar Port stating that the Port holds a central place in the CPEC and would be a transshipment hub in future. The Federal Government has announced incentives including Income tax and Customs Duty exemptions for Gwadar Free Zone Area. The delegation was briefed that the Ministry has taken an initiative to allow the public and private sector to start the ferry service to facilitate tourists and zaireen to Iran and Middle East and to stimulate economic growth through tourism industry. It was discussed that modern dedicated terminals for LNG, Coal and Clinker and Containers have been completed at Karachi Port and Port Qasim. The Federal Government of Pakistan has announced complete tax exemptions for import and registration of ships in Pakistan.
The Malaysian delegation took keen interest in the projects of the Ministry particularly in Ferry Service operation, construction of dedicated terminals at Pakistani ports and establishment of industry in Gwadar Port Free Zone. It was agreed that a Joint Working Group on Maritime Cooperation of Pakistan and Malaysia may be established for improving maritime cooperation.
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