Maritime minister, PBC address sectoral reforms, PPPs

KARACHI: Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry attended a high-level meeting with the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) at the Dawood Centre, Karachi.

The minister emphasised that the maritime sector is capital-intensive and requires technical expertise to become a driver of economic development in Pakistan. He stressed that continuous cooperation among key stakeholders -- including the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Communications, provincial governments, and the business community -- was essential to harness both expertise and capital, particularly through public-private partnership models.

He noted that infrastructure connecting to the Karachi Port must be developed with sound business models. While the federal government could play a facilitative role, it must be matched by committed engagement from the relevant business sectors. He also proposed the formation of task forces to fast-track pending proposals and projects.

Ehsan Malik, CEO of the Pakistan Business Council, said the PBC is tasked with advocating for business advancement on a national level. While not sector-specific, the maritime ministry’s cross-sectoral relevance makes it an ideal area for strategic collaboration with the PBC.

Representatives from the PBC also highlighted challenges in the cement industry. The meeting included several notable cement exporters, along with officials from the Karachi Port Trust and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

The PBC called on the minister to approve a coordinated framework involving the maritime ministry, Karachi Port authorities, and export representatives from various sectors. They urged the government to accelerate the development of a practical and structured mechanism to improve both the ease and cost of doing business -- supported by financial and policy-based assistance from the federal government.

The PBC commended the federal government and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs for their responsiveness and proactive approach in supporting PBC stakeholders and businesses more broadly.Chaudhry welcomed the proposals and encouraged the PBC to formalise a working agreement with the ministry to operationalise the suggestions discussed during the meeting.