Gwadar Port to become formally operational next month: Hasil Bizenjo

KARACHI: Gwadar Port will be formally operational and open to the world by end of next month and there will be first international expo at Gwadar on January 29-30 to project the potential of Gwadar, mainly of Special Economic Zone.

Gwadar Port is a deep-sea international port with draught of more than 18 meters.

Mother ships can easily anchor at the port.

Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo also revealed that his ministry in next couple of weeks would float tender for the construction of much talked about and long-awaited mega project of Elevated Expressway -- linking Keamari, West and East Wharf to Northern Bypass. This would be operative in next two years.

He was speaking at a meeting of FPCCI Standing Committee on Ports and Shipping, here on Monday, which was attended by number of senior businessmen and officials of Ministry of Ports and Shipping, and of Karachi Port Trust, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, Gwadar Port and Gwadar Development Authority.

Chairman Chinese Overseas Ports Holding Company was prominent at this event, organized by Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Ports and Shipping minister invited private sector of the country to come ahead and operate ferry services within or outside the country including Chabahar Port, Dubai or Qatar.

The government would never operate any ferry service. It was the job for local private sector. The government would only support and facilitate the businessmen, he said.

He stressed the local investors to lead in development of associated facilities to Gwadar Port, Gwadar City and Special Economic Zone there, and other CPEC linked mega projects in Balochistan. Also, the local businessmen could set up resorts and entertainment facilities along coastal highway, at Ormara and Gwadar.

The Chairman, Chinese Overseas Ports Holding Company, appreciated the support and cooperation from Pakistan government and Balochistan government, Pakistan Army and the civilian population in successfully carrying forward/executing the Gwadar Port and associated facilities.