ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cabinet committee on Tuesday emphasised the utilisation of Gwadar Port for bulk imports such as wheat, sugar, and urea fertilizer.
The meeting chaired by Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan, explored strategies for routing 60% of public sector imports, including wheat, fertilizer, and sugar, through Gwadar Port.
The cabinet in September formed a committee to oversee the routing of wheat, fertiliser, and sugar imports through Gwadar, aiming to boost port operations and reduce costs.
Gwadar, located on the Arabian Sea in the southwestern Balochistan province, is a resource-rich area. China has made significant investments in the area, notably in the development of Gwadar port, which plays a crucial role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
This initiative includes a wide range of infrastructure and energy projects and is a key component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, spearheaded by President Xi Jinping.
The cabinet committee, established to propose actionable recommendations to the Prime Minister, reviewed progress on existing plans and discussed the roadmap to enhance the utilisation of Gwadar Port. The committee agreed to ensure periodic reviews of progress in realising Gwadar’s potential as a key trade hub.
The meeting also explored the viability of Gwadar Port for transshipment and transit to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs).
The committee acknowledged the progress made in transshipment initiatives and noted China’s interest in leveraging Gwadar under the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) framework.
It was noted that addressing the cost differential between Gwadar and Karachi would be essential to ensuring competitiveness, particularly in government-to-government (G2G) deals with countries like Bangladesh. Financial support mechanisms for this adjustment were discussed.
The committee sought feedback on pending responses from Ministries and departments for improving business business-enabling environment for Gwadar port and encouraged further collaboration with logistics experts from the sectoral councils.
The committee discussed measures to encourage bulk cargoes through Gwadar to enhance port utilisation significantly.
The cabinet committee reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Gwadar Port into a cornerstone of Pakistan’s trade and logistics ecosystem. With targeted policy interventions and coordinated efforts, Gwadar’s role in public sector imports and regional connectivity is set to expand significantly in the coming years.
