CPEC updates at Gwadar

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Under Construction Gwadar International Airport.

The most modern and the largest 246 million dollar New Gwadar International Airport will be operational by September 2023 to welcome local and international flights at the port city.
According to an official source, being built on an area of 4,300 acres, the airport's different units are at different stages of development and the overall construction of the airport would be finished before September 2023.

The New Gwadar International Airport is being managed and operated by the Civil Aviation Authority and is owned by a tripartite venture between Pakistan, Oman, and China.
It is a part of the gigantic China Pakistan Economic Corridor CPEC project, a cornerstone of China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative.

It will stimulate the development of the Gwadar peninsula and boost trade between Pakistan and China, hence transforming the geopolitical status of the region into the geo-economic hub of investment and trade opportunities.

 

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Eastbay Expressway bridges save Gwadar from sinking

GWADAR, July 21 (Gwadar Pro) - Amidst flash flood criticality spelling disaster in many parts of G

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Eastbay Expressway bridges save Gwadar from sinking​

By Yasir Habib Khan | Gwadar Pro Jul 21, 2022



GWADAR, July 21 (Gwadar Pro) - Amidst flash flood criticality spelling disaster in many parts of Gwadar, three bridges of Eastbay Expressway, one of CPEC’s modern roads, have saved the eastern part of the coastal city from sheer sinking. They have prevented many casualties and destruction to residential and commercial infrastructure.
At the stretch of the over 19-kilometre-long state-of-the-art Eastbay Expressway, the opening of the three bridges played a role of water outlets, allowing torrential rainwater to flow downward to sea.
Imam Buksh Bozenjo, who worked as a project director of Eastbay Expressway from the side of Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) told Gwadar Pro that if these three bridges (underpasses) were not assimilated into the final construction design of Eastbay Expressway in collaboration with Chinese engineers, the eastern part of Gwadar would be inundated completely, causing death toll, catastrophic destruction to homes and infrastructures.
"With construction of Eastbay Expressway known as technology road, not only about 4 kilometers of the area is reclaimed from the sea through 'Revetment and Piling Technology' but also high-tech inventive for these bridges were specially built," he added.
Besides their primary purpose to facilitate local fishermen to tow their boats to ashore for fishing allowing them to earn their livelihood, these bridges crafted another meaning to local people of Gwadar.
Mohsin Baloch named them "bridge of lives" while talking to Gwadar Pro during a survey of the area. "We are saved and credit goes to China for furnishing the favor," he added. These bridges are around 30 meters high and 45 meters wide.
As per Gwadar topography, it has a sunken nature in the center that makes it very vulnerable for accumulation of water when it rains. Since the center of Gwadar is lower-lying than the surrounding areas, water does not naturally drift away from the area. Nevertheless, water keeps flowing inward and causes water collection. At least three bridges of Eastbay expressway have fixed the issue in the eastern part of Gwadar that starts from Fish Harbor and ends at Coast Guard.
If looked back in history, when rainy spells used to lash out at Gwadar, tide of sea used to inflict damage to boats and houses. Now with barrier board and 4.34km anti-wave breast wall to make the 4.34km revetment, the embankment is saved from onslaughts of sea waves.

 

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Gwadar Free Zone gets e-custom, stimulus to businessmen

In order to give a strategic boost to commercial activities, an e-custom clearance system “Web Based

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Gwadar Free Zone gets e-custom, stimulus to businessmen​

By Yasir Habib Khan | Gwadar Pro Jul 25, 2022



In order to give a strategic boost to commercial activities, an e-custom clearance system “Web Based One Custom” (WeBOC) has been installed in Gwadar Free Zone. It is a milestone development in the history of Gwadar Port Free Zone consisting of the South Free Zone (Phase I) and the North Free Zone (Phase II).
Now all foreign and local companies already registered or to be registered in Gwadar Free Zone will observe a phenomenal growth of their businesses enjoying paperless, ultra-fast, cost-effective and transparent processes and procedures.
It will be an impetus to foreign investors always asking for the activation of E-custom functionality in Gwadar Free Zone. After fulfilling the prerequisite, foreign investment is highly likely to come, which is desperately needed for the struggling Pakistani economy in the current scenario.
The game-changing e-initiative aims to facilitate companies in Gwadar Free Zone to get integrated with Gwadar Port, customs, NLC, FBR, banking channels and other institutions to increase efficiency and reduce the time taken for processing in various departments.
WeBOC in Gwadar Free Zone will help with the automation, standardisation and harmonisation of all trade procedures and logistic services related to land, air and sea routes under the Pakistan Single Window (PSW).
China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) official said that investors and operators of the Free Zone have hailed the development as a watershed moment in the progress of Gwadar Free Zone. “It will increase the efficiency of consignment processing,” they added.
Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Chairman Naseer Khan Kashani said that since trade activities have been picking up momentum in Gwadar Free Zone, there is an acute need to put in place a vibrant system of E-Custom to help bolster entire manual business activities. “WeBOC installation in Gwadar Free Zone will put trade management and business administration into high gear,” he added. “It will also pave [the] way for end-to-end logistics solutions,” he mentioned.
A local businessman Agha Hayat said that a large number of government departments and organisations have prescribed multiple “Registrations, Licenses, Certificates and Other permits (RLCOs)” for establishing and operating businesses. Many of these RLCOs envisage cumbersome processing through manual application procedures. The launch of the mega initiative in Gwadar will reduce the compliance burden on businesses, he said. “This will enhance ease of doing business in Pakistan and as a result, it will improve the country’s image and attract foreign direct investment,” Muhammad Ali Baloch, another local businessman said.
A senior official of Collectorate of Customs, Gwadar Custom House noted that Gwadar Port and Gwadar Free Zone are two different entities. Gwadar Free Zone has now been equipped with WeBOC. However, he revealed that in September, the 2019 WeBOC system was rolled out successfully at Gwadar port by the Pakistan Customs. There was the Goods Declaration (GD) system till 2017 which was replaced by the One-Customs system.
Basic features of WeBOC involve a paperless system such as online manifest filing and online payments, 24/7 GD filing (web-based), Risk Management System (Green, Yellow, Red channels), communication with the custodians of goods/port authorities through EDI, online communication with traders and clearing agents. This also includes assessment-based online examination reports and images, First-in, First-out (FIFO) based assessment scheme, an online adjudication process, online decision support tools for customs and trade, stricter controls and checks (complete log of all activities).

 

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Gwadar Free Zone to begin exports next year​

Agencies
JULY 28, 2022

In a major development, exports have been set in motion for the first time in Gwadar Free Zone under the backdrop of exemption from all sorts of taxes and customs duties in the Free Zone for a period of 20 years.

Along with exports to foreign countries, Gwadar Free Zone (GFZ, both South and North) have also kick-started supplying trade articles and manufacturing items for the local market of Pakistan.

” Both phenomenal steps aligned with E-Custom (Web-based one custom WeBOC) system aim to help Pakistan realize its dream to become a high-performing export-oriented country in the international trading landscape, ” China Economic Net (CEN) reported.

Agvon, an enterprise incorporated in Gwadar North Free Zone that deals in fertilizer import and processing claims to export 20,000 tons of potassium sulphate to Pakistani and international markets.

It is expected to start its production facility by the start of next year.
For this purpose, Agvon has already acquired 10 acres of land and the manufacturing setup is under construction.

Moreover, another industry operating in GFZ, HK Sun Corporation will export its consignment to the tariff area in Pakistan.

” As per this module, functionalities pertaining to import and export from Gwadar and vice versa that have been introduced include import from abroad to GFZ through transhipment via both Karachi and Gwadar Port, export to tariff area and abroad from GFZ. Additional modalities are expected to be introduced in the coming week as stated by a document of Pakistan Customs,” says a GFZ official.

He said that export from GFZ to tariff area and abroad and vice versa through WeBOC would provide an impetus to the industrialization drive and enhance commercial activities in Gwadar and the region.

” It will accelerate logistic services as well,” he added.

Gwadar Port and Gwadar Free Zone are two different entities with different functionalities.

Before Gwadar Free Zone is operationalized for exports, Gwadar Port initiated process for exports on December 15, 2019. Then a vessel, carrying three fish containers worth $50,000 each, for a Far-Eastern country started the seafood exports through Gwadar port.

 

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Work on Gwadar’s Desalination Plant commenced with Full Vigor

GWADAR, Aug 2nd(Gwadar Pro)-As a major step towards solving the drinking water problem in Gwadar,

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Work on Gwadar’s Desalination Plant commenced with Full Vigor​

By Tahir Ali | Gwadar Pro Aug 1, 2022



GWADAR, Aug 2nd(Gwadar Pro)-As a major step towards solving the drinking water problem in Gwadar, construction of a 1.2 gallon per day (MGD) desalination plant in Gwadar Free Zone has commenced, China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) announced on Monday.
“Construction of 1.2 MGD desalination plant in Gwadar Free Zone commenced with full vigor; upon completion, it will assuage Gwadar’s water scarcity remarkably,” according to COPHC.
The project aims to purify sea water and make it safe for people in Gwadar city. After the installation of the plant, drinking water will be supplied to the Old City area in accordance to the requirements of Gwadar Port Authority.
The estimated cost of the project is US$ 12.7 million, which is being financed via a Chinese Government Grant in March 2022, during a ceremony at China Business Centre. The contract for the project was granted to China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC). The project has been dubbed a “lifeline for the people of Gwadar”. According to the agreement, the civil work will be completed within 12 months of its inception.

 

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Updates.. Cargo vessel 'Teera Bhum' docking at Gwadar Port on 3 August 2022..

 

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Gwadar Power Plant - 300 MW

Project Progress Update

Tariff determined in Sep 2019. Land acquired in Feb 2020. GoP-IA and PPA signed on 8th April 2021. Financial Close (FC) under process.

 

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Gwadar Seaport, Balochistan,,

To restore Gwadar Port’s operational depth, more than six companies including Chinese enterprises have come forward as their final applications have been submitted for the official bidding to be opened on August 16.

Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Project Director (Maintenance of Dredging) Mr Nadeem told that the bidding process aims to launch a de-silting operation allowing ships to float well. “Out of more than six firms including Chinese enterprises, a Belgium–based company has also submitted the application,” he added.

The total cost of dredging, he said, will be determined as per cubic meter considering the scale of operation and size of the area to be cleared from siltation. On a query, he said that around Rs. 1 billion has already been allocated for the dredging process in current budget 2022-23.

“The Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) has invited firms or contractors having sufficient experience in the relevant field, financially sound and suitably qualified in maintenance dredging of the navigation channel in accordance with prescribed tender documents” he added.

GPA Director Marine Operation Capt Gull Muhammad also told that expenditure of dredging process will be hinging on many factors including dollar fluctuation, fuel cost and labour charges. He dispelled the impression that Gwadar port functionality to deal with ships has been badly hampered. He admitted the fact that Gwadar Port lost its 14.5 metre natural operational depth but clarified that the depth has not been depleted to 11.4 metre as claimed. “Within two weeks, Gwadar port handled a ship with a draught of 11.6 metres easily” he added. He further mentioned that the last time dredging operation got underway in 2015.

China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) official said that undoubtedly, no de-silting activity has taken place in the last 7 years. However, it would be an overstatement to claim that the depth of the port has shrunk to mere 11.4 meters from 14.5 meters and subsequently faded away its capacity to handle mother vessels. Indeed, he said that the port continues to berth and process mega-vessels, though with lesser frequency. Recently, two bulk carriers, Bao Quan with a draught of 11.6 meters and Teera Bhum with 10.9 meters draught and a deadweight tonnage of 24,238 tons efficiently berthed at Gwadar port.

Gwadar International Terminal Limited's (GITL) Terminal official said that since 2015 COPHC came into action, Gwadar Port has hosted and handled more than “366” ships and vessels. By the end of March, current year, Teera Bhum, a feeder service of COSCO liner, with 12.4 meters of draught berthed alongside, he added.

 

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Updates...

Director General of the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA), Mujeeb Ur Rehman Qambrani has said that the Gwadar Port is going to be a shining pearl in the entire region, as the largest Gwadar International Airport would be operational next year in September 2023 to connect it to the major cities of Pakistan and the world.

In a presentation to the business community of Punjab’s provincial capital, the GDA DG stated that the seaport was getting ready to anchor the ships of up to 70,000 metric tons.

He announced that the Gwadar is now being linked to the national grid by the end of next year, as an agreement of power supply of 100MW has been signed in this regard to lessen city’s dependence on electricity supply from Iran.

Moreover, the 300MW coal power plant is also under construction to fulfill the immediate electricity needs of this coastal city. He revealed the GDA was going to have a big investment conference in Gwadar to attract new investment in manufacturing sector in the area.

The director general of GDA informed the businessmen that a chain of International Sea Food is being launched in Gwadar’s West Bay’s kaleidoscopic waters, transforming this site into a major tourist attraction.

He revealed in his presentation that a dispute resolution committee was also formed to address the grievances of the new allottees in this area. In the presentation, Mujeeb Qambrani detailed the various other mega activities in Gwadar and glimpsed the future of the geostrategic future corridor of energy, trade, and logistics to center 70% of the world.

 

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New Gwadar Int’l Airport to Adopt Hytera Advanced Communications Solution from China​

City News

KARACHI: The New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) built across an area of 4,300 acres, is expected to become the largest airport in Pakistan after its completion on 2023 and is one of the main projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor development.

The NGIA will be equipped with an advanced communications system from Chinese Company Hytera, a leading global provider of professional communications technologies and solutions. Expanded its business footprint to Pakistan in 2005, Hytera has been committed to providing safe and reliable communication systems for various industry verticals in the country. In recent years, Hytera opened a local office in Islamabad to further improve its pre-sales and after-sales service in Pakistan.

To ensure the safety of passengers and employees both on the ground and in the air, the Hytera airport communications solution was chosen to provide reliable and robust communication for the NGIA. According to the contract, Hytera will deploy top-of-the-line equipment and communication system for the new Gwadar International Airport, including 1 DIB-R5 Compact Tetra Base Station, Smart One Dispatch System, and multiple portable radios, mobile radios as well as repeaters.

The project marked another milestone of Hytera’s progress in the airport industry and in the Pakistani market. Its roster of clients in the airport industry includes Qatar Airways, PMIA Airport, Hong Kong Airport, Vienna Airport, Charles de Gaulle Airport, and Helsinki Airport.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 12 2022

 

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Chinese trainers to arrive soon for Pakistan-China Technical and Vocational Institute in Gwadar​

By Shafqat Ali | Gwadar Pro Aug 19, 2022



GWADAR, Aug. 19 (Gwadar Pro) - Pakistan will soon receive Chinese trainers for Pakistan-China Technical and Vocational Institute in Gwadar.
Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Chairman Naseer Khan Kashani held meetings with the Shandong Institute of Commerce and Technology (SICT) on Thursday on the exchange program to introduce courses in Pakistan-China Technical and Vocational Institute.
The technical and vocational institute located in Gwadar is the first project completed at Gwadar to meet the demand for trained manpower for operations of Free Zone, Export Processing Zones (EPZ), Gwadar Industrial Estates Development Authority (GIEDA), and other allied fields such as tourism, hotel industry, and hospitality management.
During the meeting, it was informed that Chinese trainers will soon arrive at Gwadar to support the Institute.
In March, Pakistan-China Technical and Vocational Institute Gwadar, following its completion, started short courses to provide vocational training to students.
The first-ever modern vocational and technical training institute in the port city of Gwadar can accommodate 256 trainees at a time and provide training opportunities for at least 1,000 people every year. The Institute was completed in September 2021 before its expected completion date.
China agreed to provide training in the institute. Under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the project was initiated in the port city to provide standard vocational education to the people of Balochistan in modern technological field.
The students belonging to Gwadar district would be enrolled free of cost to get modern vocational skills in the institution. The students after completing their course work would be sent to China for visit of various industries to get hands on exposure of modern technologies and industrial advancements.

Chinese trainers to arrive soon for Pakistan-China Technical and Vocational Institute in Gwadar

GWADAR, Aug. 19 (Gwadar Pro) - Pakistan will soon receive Chinese trainers for Pakistan-China Techni

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China funded Gwadar Seawater Desalination Project,

It has capacity of 5000 tons of household water per day, is under smooth construction by joint efforts of both Chinese & local workers.

It will provide clean water to local people in Gwadar and improve their lives upon completion.

 

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Wheat imports via Gwadar on the cards​

By Yasir Habib Khan | Gwadar Pro Aug 23, 2022



GWADAR, Aug. 23 (Gwadar Pro) - In a major development, wheat imports via Gwadar are being planned in collaboration with Gwadar Port Authority and National Food Security Division, promising to usher in a new era of business, commerce and trade vibrancy at Gwadar port.
Salient headway came up in an important meeting between Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) Chairman Naseer Khan Kashani and National Food Security Division Secretary Zafar Hasan.
GPA Chairman Naseer Khan Kashani dubbed the readiness to import wheat using Gwadar port a new milestone, saying wheat imports will spur up trade activities in Gwadar. “It will also boost employability when bustling activity get underway, skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled man force will be required to handle the entire scale of work.”
In order to materialize the wheat import seeking input of stakeholders, GPA Chairman Naseer Khan Kashani has also decided to hold a consultative meeting with local investors and Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry soon.
On the occasion, National Food Security Division Secretary Zafar Hasan said “we are giving a serious thought to import bigger part of our wheat quota using useful channel of Gwadar port the first time.” He said that more thought-provoking meetings are planned to be held seeking numerous insights into the merits of wheat import via Gwadar. He hoped that National Food Security will gear up to make things happen at the earliest.

Wheat imports via Gwadar on the cards

GWADAR, Aug. 23 (Gwadar Pro) - In a major development, wheat imports via Gwadar are being planned in

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Hangeng receives first container of raw medicines from Africa​

By Khalid Aziz | Gwadar Pro Aug 24, 2022



ISLAMABAD Aug. 24 (Gwadar Pro)- China’s Hangeng Agricultural Group, which is building an agricultural industrial park in Gwadar, received the first container of raw medicines from Africa, a senior official told Gwadar Pro on Wednesday.
“We will process the medicines in our facility in Gwadar for onwards shipment to China”, the official said. “We are basically a supply chain management company and aim to process pharmaceutical and agricultural goods in our Gwadar facility for onward export to China”, the official further stated. "Presently, we are in the construction stage at Gwadar Free Zone." he said.
Hangeng Agricultural Group aims to industrialise agriculture and animal husbandry in Pakistan. The group is also looking for procurement of agriculture goods and livestock from other parts of Pakistan for processing in their Gwadar facility and exporting to China. The Group is expected to create multiple employment opportunities for Pakistani youth in Gwadar and the rest of the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif performed ground-breaking of the Hangeng Agricultural Industrial Park in Gwadar during his visit to the port city in June. The arrival of the first container of raw medicines will open a new chapter in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical processing sector and Pakistan’s exports to China.

Hangeng receives first container of raw medicines from Africa

ISLAMABAD Aug. 24 (Gwadar Pro)- China’s Hangeng Agricultural Group, which is building an agricultura

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Tender floated for Eastbay Expressway Gwadar’s gates & check posts​

By Tahir Ali | Gwadar Pro Aug 25, 2022



GWADAR,Aug.25(Gwadar Pro) - The Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), Ministry of Maritime Affairs, has floated a tender seeking well-reputed firms for the construction of tool gates, office accommodation, and security check posts at Eastbay Expressway (EBEW) Gwadar.
According to the notice, the sealed tenders are invited from well-reputed firms having national tax numbers, licensed by PEC in category C-5 or above. The complete set of bidding documents can be obtained on submission of a written application and upon payment of a non-refundable bidding document fee in the shape of a pay order drawn in the name of GPA. The single stage two envelope bidding procedures will be adopted under Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.
The pre-bid meeting will be held on September 5, 2022, at 11:00 am at GPA Nucleus Office Karachi. GPA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids in light of PPRA rules.
Eastbay Expressway is the main artery of Gwadar Port through which the entire traffic of the port will flow. The objective of the Eastbay Expressway is to provide primary connectivity of the Port and its Free Zone with the network of National Highways for smooth logistic transportation of import, export, and transit goods.

Tender floated for Eastbay Expressway Gwadar’s gates & check posts

GWADAR,Aug.25(Gwadar Pro) - The Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), Ministry of Maritime Affairs, has float

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