First Gwadar Expo 2018: Watch this thread for updates!

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January 27, 2018
Views: 288

All Set For Mega Event ‘Gwadar Expo 2018’ To Kick Off On Jan 29

GWADAR, Jan 27 (APP):The Gwadar Development Authority along with China Overseas Ports Holding Company is all set to jointly hold the ‘Gwadar Expo 2018′ on January 29-30, providing an unparalleled opportunity for Pakistani and Chinese companies to strengthen their business linkages.

“The event, with launch of first phase of Free Economic Zone, will provide a big boost to the economic activities of Pakistan and China,” Director General Gwadar Development Authority Dr Sajjad Baloch told APP on Saturday.
The mega event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on January 29, with high-ups of Chinese government and businessmen of the two countries in attendance.
Dr Sajjad said the first phase of Free Economic Zone spread over 60 acres would be operated by China Overseas Port Holding Company, which has also set up a Business Centre for handling of operations.

The business centre will provide a one-window operation for matters including immigration, customs, visa operations and port clearance facilities.

He said Gwadar Expo 2018 will prove as a platform for Chinese and Pakistani business leaders to learn more about opportunities related to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and interact with key government officials.
He mentioned that around 100 stalls have been set up at the Expo and a large number of Chinese investors have arrived in the port city for participation.

This two-day conference and exhibition will highlight the success of companies already working on CPEC related projects, and provide detailed concrete information about opportunities for industrial cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani businessmen.
“The CPEC will play important role in economic development in Pakistan and the region. Therefore, it has been a dreamland for global investors,” Chairman Zhang Baozhong of China Overseas Port Holding Company said in his message.

He said a fully equipped modern industrial park completed within a year, attracting more than 30 companies with a total investment of more than USD 1 billion was a strong proof of the confidence of the investor in Gwadar.

“The once desolated, neglected Gwadar is gradually showing its economic potentials and will benefit the local people,” he said.
He expressed confidence that friends participating this event would have a clear picture of Gwadar development plan, find opportunities in it and enter into cooperation agreements as the result of Gwadar EXPO 2018.
The core objectives of holding Gwadar Expo 2018 is to highlight the significance of Gwadar and to promote Gwadar Port and Gwadar Free zone as emerging business hub. The purpose is also to create maximum awareness about the full scope of Gwadar projects and to provide a platform of interaction between local and foreign business entrepreneurs.

The event will bring at one stage the financiers, investors, entrepreneurs and government officials to exploit the benefits of this mega project for enhanced investment, business and employment opportunities.

Chinese President Xi Jinping in his address to the parliament of Pakistan had also emphasized on building a community of Shared future for China and Pakistan to forge a new path of win-win cooperation, to which the Gwadar Expo 2018 is a significant step towards this reality.

 

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Gwadar Expo will boost Pakistan's economic growth, says COPHC chief


Fazil Jamili & Wasif Shakil

GWADAR: The Gwadar Expo 2018 has received massive response not only from local companies but enterprises from China, Europe, US, Africa have also registered for the exhibition making it a major international event.

While talking exclusively to The News, Chairman and CEO of China Overseas Ports Holding Company, Zhang Baozhong, said that two-day expo starting from 29th January is an important step towards development of the coastal city as a major commercial hub.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will inaugurate the exhibition jointly organized by the Chinese company and Gwadar Port Authority where over 200 companies are participating.

Almost 5000 exhibitors and 10,000 visitors applied for the exhibition but only 200 companies and 5000 visitors were allowed due to logistics issues.

This shows the growing interest of business community and that is why we are very confident for the future of Gwadar as an engine of economic growth not only for the Balochistan province but also for the economic development of Pakistan, said Baozhong.

Gwadar is situated at a strategic location. And to develop a commercial hub, the quickest way is to organize an exhibition where buyer, seller, service providers are brought at one place for more collaborations and business partnerships, he added.

‘We intent to make this an annual event so that more commercial activities tak place here in the Gwadar Free Zone. This event will boost economic cooperation not only between Pakistan and China but also with Iran, Afghanistan and the Middle East.’

All the hotels, rest houses are booked such is the excitement level over the event. The Pakistan International Airline increased its Karachi-Gwadar flights to four shifts a day. The locals too seemed very much interested in it. In the city everyone is talking about the expo and the financial benefits it is going to bring for them.

Real state and fish processing are two main sectors here generating economic activity for the natives. During discussions with the realtors here, they told that the land prices have increased 400 times in the past few years bringing at par with that of Karachi. But since the ouster of Nawaz Sharif there is a sense of instability among the investors.

Phase-I of Gwadar Free Zone is also going to be inaugurated during the expo. During our visit to the facility we saw that final touches were being given to the structure.

There are several Japanese, American and Chinese companies participating in the event including Huawei, China Communication Construction Company, China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company making it truly an international event, the official said.

MoUs, agreements worth billions of rupees will be signed as well. First of them will be between COPHC and the Gwadar District Council for poverty alleviation under which very poor families will be provided financial assistance and other opportunities for sustainable growth.

Babu Gulab, District Council Chairman said this agreement will help the local government in its poverty alleviation programme.

Pakistan State Oil will establish a crude oil storage facility under an agreement with the Gwadar Port Authority. The GPA will also get a sister port status with a Chinese port and the city of Gwadar will get a sister city status with a Chinese coastal city.

Talking about the development of the GFZ, Baozhong said that the project started in 2007 but it was until 2015 when we took up the construction and now it is complete with everything required for establishment of industrial units.

The CEO added that an industrial zone near the port is very critical to make it commercially viable.

‘As you can see here, we have worked very hard. The support of Pakistani government and the people of city have been a key element in our success. The business complex was constructed in just five months.’

Now everything is in place here; uninterrupted power supply, water, road infrastructure, security. The Gwadar Free Zone is as good as any other industrial park in the developed world. Up till now 30 investors from Pakistan China, Europe and Middle East have applied for the establishment of industries in the GFZ.

The CEO added that currently 2000 locals are working in the Phase-I and when the GFZ project is fully functional, estimates show that it will provide employment to nearly 40000 locals. And not only this, exports from here will help earn Pakistan more foreign currency.

‘The technical exchange taking place here will transform Pakistani enterprises into global companies. The success of free zone is very much linked with the economic development of the country and we are pleased to be a part of this journey.’

All set for mega event Gwadar Expo 2018 to kick off on Jan 29


APP

GWADAR: The Gwadar Development Authority along with China Overseas Ports Holding Company is all set to jointly hold the ‘Gwadar Expo 2018'' on January 29-30, providing an unparalleled opportunity for Pakistani and Chinese companies to strengthen their business linkages.

“The event, with launch of first phase of Free Economic Zone, will provide a big boost to the economic activities of Pakistan and China,” Director General Gwadar Development Authority Dr Sajjad Baloch told APP on Saturday.

The mega event will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on January 29, with high-ups of Chinese government and businessmen of the two countries in attendance.

Dr Sajjad said the first phase of Free Economic Zone spread over 60 acres would be operated by China Overseas Port Holding Company, which has also set up a Business Centre for handling of operations.

The business centre will provide a one-window operation for matters including immigration, customs, visa operations and port clearance facilities.

He said Gwadar Expo 2018 will prove as a platform for Chinese and Pakistani business leaders to learn more about opportunities related to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor and interact with key government officials.

He mentioned that around 100 stalls have been set up at the Expo and a large number of Chinese investors have arrived in the port city for participation.

This two-day conference and exhibition will highlight the success of companies already working on CPEC related projects, and provide detailed concrete information about opportunities for industrial cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani businessmen.

“The CPEC will play important role in economic development in Pakistan and the region. Therefore, it has been a dreamland for global investors,” Chairman Zhang Baozhong of China Overseas Port Holding Company said in his message.

He said a fully equipped modern industrial park completed within a year, attracting more than 30 companies with a total investment of more than US$ 1 billion was a strong proof of the confidence of the investors in Gwadar.

“The once desolated, neglected Gwadar is gradually showing its economic potentials and will benefit the local people,” he said.

He expressed confidence that friends participating this event would have a clear picture of Gwadar development plan, find opportunities in it and enter into cooperation agreements as the result of Gwadar EXPO 2018. The core objectives of holding Gwadar Expo 2018 is to highlight the significance of Gwadar and to promote Gwadar Port and Gwadar Free zone as emerging business hub.

The purpose is also to create maximum awareness about the full scope of Gwadar projects and to provide a platform of interaction between local and foreign business entrepreneurs.

The event will bring at one stage the financiers, investors, entrepreneurs and government officials to exploit the benefits of this mega project for enhanced investment, business and employment opportunities.

All arrangements finalized to hold Gwadar Expo 2018 tomorrow


January 28, 2018

All arrangements have been finalized to hold Gwadar Expo 2018' in Gwadar tomorrow.

The mega event likely to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, will provide an unparalleled opportunity for Pakistani and Chinese companies to strengthen their business linkages.

The core objectives of holding Gwadar Expo 2018 is to highlight the significance of Gwadar and to promote Gwadar Port and Gwadar Free zone as emerging business hub.

The event is being jointly organized by Gwadar Development Authority and China Overseas Ports Holding Company.

Objectives

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• To highlight the significance of Gwadar and to promote Gwadar Port & Gwadar Free zone as emerging business hub.
• Create maximum awareness about the full scope of Gwadar Projects.
• Provide a platform of interaction between local and foreign business entrepreneurs.
• Bringing on one stage the financiers, Investors, entrepreneurs & government officials to exploit the benefits of this mega project for enhanced investment, business and employment opportunities.

It will be a two (2) days event including both day and evening activities. Senior most dignitaries & industry stalwarts from around the world will be attending the event.

 

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Major Activities
Inauguration Ceremonies

Gwadar Free zone Phase # 1 (A Commercial Logistics Zone)

Business Center (A multipurpose building having offices, Restaurants, Meeting Rooms, & One-Window-Service Facility).

Exhibition Center (A mega hall for International Exhibitions, Tradeshows and promotional activities)

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Seminars & Conferences
To create awareness and highlight the significance of Gwadar & CPEC projects

Gwadar … A Gateway to the Global Opportunities

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Important Announcement
Operationalization of five new STS gantry crane/ Quay Crane

MoU Signing Ceremonies/ other Business Announcement

B2B meetings and various leisure activities

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Evening Shows

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  China Pak Cultural Show

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  Food Street & Gala Night

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  Closing Ceremony with Fireworks

 

[Samlee]

Wow Really Looking Forward to This

 

[Thanatos]

So excited about it. I hope this will start new era in development and prosperity of people of Pakistan. Hopefully it will also take Pak China relationship to new level.

 

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Pakistan, China set to sign accords to promote Gwadar

GAWADAR PORT, NEWS, PAKISTAN-CHINA
JANUARY 28, 2018 | LEAVE A COMMENT

Islamabad – Pakistan and China are set to sign some important agreements on Tuesday to provide strategic support to Gwadar sea port that is emerging as strong economic hub in the country and the region.

The agreements will be reached among the Chinese and Pakistani public and private sectors on the occasion of Gwadar expo, 2018 scheduled to take place next week.

The expo will be a big event in the history of Baluchistan for its socio-economic development giving further boost to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, said here by Jiang Han, political Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy.

About the agreements, he said these relate to poverty alleviation, development of industrial park and declaring Gwadar and Henan as sister cities.

About the significance of Expo, Jiang Han said it would be a big opportunity for the manufacturers, investors, entrepreneurs and government officials from countries of the region to interact with each other. Other than showcasing their company products, new avenues of trade and technology transfer would be discussed on the occasion.

Jiang Han also briefed the media about the significance of the under-construction Gwadar Airport, Gwadar East-Bay expressway and other socio-economic activities in the area. Gwadar port is the flagship project of the CPEC and will play an important role in the economic development of Pakistan and the region as well, he added.

In the social sector, Counselor Jiang said that Chinese companies had undertaken exemplary steps for the well-being of the local inhabitants of Gwadar under their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Jiang also briefed about the document recently released by the National Bureau of Statistics of China, showing that China national economy maintained the momentum of stable and sound development.

In 2017, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, all regions and departments implemented the decisions and arrangements made by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.

They adhered to the general working guideline of making progress while maintaining stability, adopted the new development philosophy, focused on the supply-side structural reform and pushed forward structural optimisation, shifting of driving forces and quality improvement.

As a result, the national economy has maintained the momentum of stable and sound development and exceeded the expectation with the economic vitality, impetus and potential released and the stability, coordination and sustainability strengthened.

"Monitoring Desk"

First Gwadar Expo opens today

News Desk
1 hour ago


All is set to inaugurate the first Gwadar Expo in Gwadar on Monday. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will inaugurate the two-day event being attended by foreign dignitaries, ambassadors and people from business community across the world. The expo aims at highlighting the significance of the Gwadar Port and Gwadar Free Zone as emerging business hub and creates maximum awareness about the full scope of Gwadar projects.

It will also provide a platform for interaction between local and foreign business entrepreneurs, financiers, investors and government officials to utilize the benefits of this mega project for enhanced investment, business and employment opportunities. The expo is being jointly organized by Gwadar Development Authority and China Overseas Ports Holding Company.
A business centre has also been set up by the China Overseas Ports Holding Company which will provide a one-window operation for matters including immigration, customs, visa operations and port clearance facilities. This two-day event will also highlight the success of companies already working on CPEC related projects, and provide detailed concrete information about opportunities for industrial cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani businessmen.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad the other day, Chinese Counselor Jiang Han said the exhibition will provide more business opportunities for foreign entrepreneurs under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He said the conference and exhibition will highlight achievements of the companies already working on the CPEC-related projects. “This two-day conference and exhibition will highlight achievements of the companies already working on the CPEC related projects, besides providing detailed information about opportunities for industrial cooperation between Chinese and Pakistani businessmen,” he said.

In the exhibition, the counsellor said, around 5,000 companies from various countries had applied to set up 150 booths to showcase their products. He said as many as 18 booths had been allocated to local companies free of cost. “We are confident that participants will support this conference and the exhibition will provide a unique opportunity to deepen business ties between Pakistani and Chinese companies” he added.

Jiang Han said the Gwadar Port had three multifunctional berths which could accommodate two 50,000 ton vessels simultaneously including 5 STS cranes, 400 Rf reefer container allocation and the stack yard of 500,000 square meters. He said the port could handle containers and other goods including bulk-cargo general cargo and RORO.
He said presently seafood containers from Pakistan”s western coast area could be exported through Gwadar Port to China, Middle East and other regions. He said Gwadar Port was now connecting Karachi by marine high coast way and correcting Punjab and Singh Province with M-8 highway.

He said Gwadar Free Zone would be built adjacent to Gwadar Port. The South Area of Free Zone (phase-II) will develop a commercial logistics zone with the leading functions of commodity exhibition, transit and distribution relying on the existing port as well as fishery processing. He said Gwadar airport would be biggest as compared to Karachi. He said road infrastructure had been completed, adding Pakistan-China Friendship schools was providing education facilities to 150 local children and efforts were on to increase the number of students to 500.

He said storage of 220 million gallon water had been made. “We are providing one million gallon clean drinking water to local,” he added. Responding to a question, he said, “We are not facing any security issue in Gwadar.”

Top Stories

 

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Gwadar, Pakistan’s new boomtown, needs a sustainability check

Govt arms need to make sure development in city and port is economically viable.
By FARAN MAHMOOD
Jan.29,2018
ISLAMABAD: Gwadar, Pakistan’s new boomtown, is all set to celebrate its Free Zone status on the occasion of the first Gwadar Expo 2018. Hailed as the next ‘Shenzhen,’ the smart port city offers a combination of tax-and-tariff incentives, streamlined customs procedures, and a less stringent regulatory environment.

Pakistan’s record on SEZ (special economic zones) has not been great but it does boast of a few industrial clusters that have created thousands of jobs over decades.

This growth of industrial clusters has almost always been organic – contrary to a ‘top-down’ push from the government in the case of SEZs. Many plans to create SEZs in KPK in the past have fallen far short of their objectives because of government’s piecemeal approach to deregulation.

PM to visit Gwadar amid concerns over anti-CPEC propaganda

However, this phenomenon is not unique to Pakistan, and India alone has hundreds of SEZs that are struggling to make a mark.

Addressing corruption concerns

But when it comes to Gwadar, the government is doing nothing by halves. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is all set to establish a facilitation centre in Gwadar FZ that will expedite commercial operations – cutting through the red tape. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has approved long-term sweeping tax concessions for port operators that include exemption from sales tax, excise duty, customs duty, income tax and various withholding taxes.

However, a good question is: what could be unintended consequences of this?

There is a chance that due to relaxed procedures and concessions, Gwadar FZ could be used for money laundering purposes as goods originating from or being transshipped through Gwadar won’t be subject to export control. Mis-invoicing of exports is a common loophole used for money laundering in Free Zones. There is a dire need that the SECP and FBR conduct their own due diligence and get to know the client before admitting it to the Gwadar free trade zone.

Port infrastructure

Moreover, Gwadar port infrastructure projects are staggering in their ambitions but short on details when we talk about sustainability practices and water planning. There is a need to future-proof infrastructure portfolio by projecting future demands and strategically responding to anticipated changes in requirements. For example, when planning for fresh water supply, it is imperative to consider possible future changes in water quality requirements, sea level, rainfall pattern, consumption and energy tariff.

In the case of Gwadar, it was thought that Aakra dam would be more than sufficient to meet water needs at a time when the population of Gwadar was a mere 5,000. Today, the population of Gwadar is 0.27 million and the total water demand there is 6.5 million gallons per day. The new water desalination plant inaugurated earlier this month will supply an additional 0.25 million gallons of drinking water everyday – making the daily water shortfall around 4 million gallons. The Aakra dam was designed to provide 2.5 million gallons per day but it has dried up due to scarce rains and has silted in less than 15 years. Water tankers fetch potable water from far off Mirani dam, costing Rs18,000 per tanker, but even that water is not fit for human consumption as per WHO guidelines.

As the population of Gwadar is expected to surpass the 2-million mark in the next five years, the water situation will worsen as even Mirani dam won’t be able to meet a demand of more than 10 million gallons per day – not to talk of a projected demand of more than 50 million gallons per day by 2022.

China to install coal-based power plant in Gwadar

Sponsors often have an incentive to undervalue environmental impact assessment reports and sustainability studies for fast tracking of megaprojects but this approach often costs a lot more at the end of the day.

Socio-economic development efforts in Gwadar should conform not only to sustainable development goals but should also involve looking into possible future scenarios in order to future-proof million dollar investments. As mega projects take a number of years and even decades to complete, the business case and stakeholder requirements may change during that period.

So unless we future-proof these megaprojects, we might face with changing requirements and scope creep problems that could have substantial impact on budgets, communities and environment.

The writer is a Cambridge graduate and is working as a strategy consultant. He tweets at @faranmah



Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2018.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

 

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PM inaugurates free trade zone, first international Gwadar expo

Says CPEC is turning into a reality today which will change the fate of the region
By NEWS DESK
Jan.29,2018
Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday inaugurated free trade zone and first International Gwadar Expo in Gwadar.

During the two-day expo, foreign personalities, members of the diplomatic community and businessmen from across the globe would take part. The expo is being jointly organised by Gwadar Development Authority and China Overseas Ports Holding Company.

CPEC to promote connectivity, shared prosperity in region: China

The Free Zone would help facilitate trade with different parts of the world especially Central Asia.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, PM Abbasi said, “CPEC is turning into a reality today which will change the fate of the region.”

He said that the project was a precious gift for the people of Pakistan from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“We inherited the challenges of terrorism and energy crisis but we followed compressive plans to overcome our issues,” said the premier.

He said the project also envisages modernisation of Pakistan Railways and the establishment of power plants.

According to PM Abbasi, political stability is required for the completion of development projects. “Gwadar is a hub of maritime trade which will become a backbone of Pakistan’s economy.”

Praising China for helping Pakistan through thick and thin, he said, “Our generation is indebted to the Chinese president for his vision.”

About the development of Balochistan, the PM assured that the federal government would fully support the provincial government in its endeavours to the development of the province.

He said the provincial government should also evolve a strategy for the development of the coastal line and make Gwadar a model modern city for the world.

On this occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing evinced full support of China to support Pakistan for further progress and prosperity.

He said the Chinese businessmen would continue to invest in the developmental projects of Gwadar, according to Radio Pakistan.

CPEC will transform Pakistan into commercial trading centre, Chief of Naval Staff

“CPEC project is the project of common development and prosperity while development of locals is the major purpose behind the Gwadar projects,” said the Chinese ambassador.

He said the Chinese companies were being encouraged to invest in Pakistan. With the support of both the countries, projects underway in Gwadar would contribute in the process of development.


Future of Balochistan lies in hands of provincial leadership: PM Abbasi


Web Desk

GWADAR: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday inaugurated first International Gwadar Expo and the first phase of the Gwadar Free Zone.

Addressing the participants, he termed the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) the most important initiative of "our generation".

Terming the CPEC a gamechanger for the region, he said the project was a vision of Nawaz Sharif and a gift from Chinese president to the coming generations.

He asked the Balochistan government to devise plan for delevopment of coastal areas, adding that the federal government will extend full cooperation .

The prime minister said future of Balochistan lies in the hands of provincial leadership which has to find solution to the problems facing their province.

Chief Minister Balochistan, Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo and senior government officials received the Prime Minister as he arrived to attend the event.

Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Maritimes Affairs Minister Mir Hasil Bizenjo and China’s Ambassador Yao Jing were also present.

First phase of the zone has been established at the gateway of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

The Free Zone would help facilitate trade with different parts of the world especially Central Asia.

The expo is being jointly organized by Gwadar Development Authority and China Overseas Ports Holding Company.

A business centre has also been set up by the China Overseas Ports Holding Company, which will provide a one-window operation for matters including immigration, customs, visa operations and port clearance facilities.

A business centre has also been set up by the China Overseas Ports Holding Company, which will provide a one-window operation for matters including immigration, customs, visa operations and port clearance facilities.

 

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Six Accords Of Cooperation Signed Between Gwadar, China Ports

BY NISAR AHMED SHAIKH

JANUARY 29, 2018


GWADAR, Jan 29 (APP): Pakistan and China on Monday inked five Agreements and a Memorandum of Understanding for strengthening collaboration between Gwadar and the Chinese port cities.


Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi witnessed the ceremony, as representatives of Pakistan and China inked the documents, following the inauguration of Gwadar Free Zone.


Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo, Federal Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Minister of State for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb, Chairman China Overseas Port Holding Company Zhang Baozhong and Gwadar Port Authority Dostain Khan Jamaldini were present.


Agreements were signed declaring Pakistan’s Gwadar and China’s Tianjin as sister ports, and Gwadar and Piung as sister cities.


Another agreement was signed for close cooperation among Pakistan State Oil (PSO), GITL and Gwadar. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and China’s Free Trade Zone Company signed an Agreement for cooperation in their respective field.


Another Agreement was signed between Gwadar and HATA Trade City.


The MoU on Gwadar Poverty Alleviation Initiative was inked between Gwadar district government and China Overseas Ports Holding Company.

 

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American media

• World
• Asia
• Economy

Pakistan, China Jointly Showcase Arabian Sea Gwadar Port
11:28 am. January 29, 2018
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Pakistan and China have jointly organized the first international exhibition to showcase the significance of the Arabian Sea Gwadar Port and its economic free zone as an emerging international business hub.

The warm water deep sea commercial port, which overlooks some of the world’s busiest oil and gas shipping lanes, has been built and recently expanded with Chinese financial assistance.

More than 200 companies from both China and Pakistan were present in Monday’s event at Gwadar, while six Chinese provinces also sent their representatives, said Beijing’s ambassador to Islamabad, Yao Jing, while addressing the ceremony.

Foreign diplomats and business leaders were also invited to the opening session of the two-day event.

Chinese operators of the port say the Gwadar Free Zone shall bring extensive economic benefits, like a tax holiday for 23 years and land lease up to 99 years to the upcoming businesses along with other incentives and pro-business policy frame work for general trade, services, manufacturing, logistics, trans-shipment and bunkering business.

Direct benefit for Pakistan

Gwardar port is to be a trans-shipment hub connected to landlocked western Chinese regions, giving Beijing a secure and shorter international trade route through Pakistan.

Gwadar is celebrated as the gateway to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC, a flagship of President Xi Jinping’s global Belt and Road Initiative to build a new “Silk Road” of land and maritime trade routes across more than 60 countries in Asia, Europe and Africa.

Under CPEC, networks of road, communications, rail, economic zones and power plants are being built and upgraded in Pakistan with an estimated Chinese investment of $62 billion.

Around $27 billion in projects are underway or completed, including “early harvest” energy projects, adding much-needed electricity to Pakistan’s national grid.

“I would like to say that the Chinese government will continue to invest and send our input to further support the development of this project. Also, we will encourage Chinese companies and Chinese businessmen to join the development of Gwadar,” vowed Chinese envoy Jing.

Wider benefit planned

During the ceremony, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said CPEC is the “most visible part” of China’s of BRI, saying the mega project will cater not only to the needs of his country, but to the needs of the region.

Officials expect Gwadar’s cargo handling capacity to increase to 1.2 million tonnes by the end of this year and it will be able to process about 13 million tons by 2022, making it the largest port in South Asia.

Chinese partners say they would need around 38,000 skilled workers by 2023 for the Free Zone, according to Dostain Jamaldini, Chairman of the Gwadar Port Authority. He says of the 2,500 current workers, around 500 are Chinese nationals and the rest are locals.

An international airport with a 12,000 meter runway is being constructed in the once sleepy town with a Chinese financial grant of around $300 million.

The Arabian Sea port is located in Pakistan’s largest province of Baluchistan where militant groups, including Islamic State, and a low-level insurgency remain key security challenges to CPEC.

Additionally, the corridor runs through Pakistan-controlled portion of the divided Kashmir region, drawing objections from rival India. The United States suspects China may also turn Gwadar into a military base.

But Chinese officials reject those concerns, maintaining “CPEC is merely an economic cooperation project,” and Islamabad dismisses New Delhi’s opposition as politically motivated.

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National
January 29, 2018
Views: 170
PM Visits KSEW Stall At Gwadar Expo
KARACHI, Jan 29 (APP)rime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday visited a stall of Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW) at Gwadar Expo- 2018, Gwadar Free Zone and Gwadar Port.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo, Interior Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal and Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat also accompanied the prime minister, said a statement issued by KSEW here.
Project Officer Pakistan Navy Fleet Tanker Commodore Salman Ilyas informed the prime minister about the progress of the on-going shipbuilding projects at KSEW.
The prime minister was also apprised that KSEW being the only shipyard in the country was playing its due role in the development of maritime sector in the country.
In this regard, KSEW, under the directions of Pakistan Navy and Ministry of Defence Production, was pursuing the case for establishment of new shipyard in Gwadar.

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Gwadar Expo Video from the floor of the expo

 

[Pakistansdefender]

Great.
It must be opened for locals too in the last 2 days when the officials are done visiting.
School and college childern must also be invited.
The can feel real change ....

 

[Development C&P]

Feeling the first show do more hasty, exhibitors, customers and tourists in relatively small number~
After the show has become an annual event,By 2020 should be very lively~

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Pakistan has to move our hinds and speed things up on civilian projects for power , water and electricity

 

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PSX to facilitate raising funds for Gwadar free trade zone firms

our correspondents

KARACHI: Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday signed an agreement with the Chinese operator of Gwadar port to facilitate companies in the city’s free trade zone in raising funds from the capital market.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi along with other Chinese and Pakistani government officials witnessed the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between PSX and China Overseas Ports Holding Company Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited (COPHC) in the port city.

“The primary purpose of MoU is that PSX will make its best endeavour to help and facilitate the investors/businesses/companies in the Gwadar free trade zone so that they can raise funds from the exchange,” PSX said in a statement.

“The COPHC will extend help to PSX in conducting due diligence on the investors/businesses in Gwadar free zone applying to PSX for listing of equity and debt securities.”

PSX and the Chinese company agreed to cooperate for listing of equity and debt securities at PSX in response to strategic national priorities of the Chinese and Pakistan’s governments with respect to ‘One Belt-One Road’ initiative in general and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiative in particular.

The government planned to list power firms under CPEC on the stock exchange to enable ownership of the multi-billion dollar projects by public as well as help the bourse grow further.

Chinese-led consortium had bought 40 percent strategic stake (320 million shares) of the PSX at a price of Rs28/share at around $85 million.

Traders believed that the government could utilise capital market to raise funds through issuing infrastructure bonds and equity offerings.

CPEC initiative envisaged more than $50 billion investment in major infrastructure projects in the country over a 10- year period. Of that, energy projects are estimated at $38 billion.

Pakistan has already handed over Gwadar port’s operation to Chinese state-owned COPHC on 40-year lease. China is expected to receive 91 percent of revenues until the port is returned to Pakistan. The port operator is also exempted from key taxes for more than 20 years.

Since 2014, Beijing has committed more than $800 million in grants and concessional loans for Gwadar.

An estimate said around 30 companies have already invested around $475 million in hospitality, banking, fish processing and logistics sector in the free trade zone in the city.

COPHS is an emerging and fast developing Chinese based multinational organisation which provides marine services, container terminal arrangement and maintenance of port facility services. The port operator aims to develop one of the most strategically located port of Gwadar into an economic hub of Pakistan, and to cater for all types of international commercial activities generated from one business to another irrespective of quantity, quantum and magnitude.

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Pakistan opens Gwadar free trade zone to world


* PM says future of Balochistan is in hands of its political leadership * PML-N govt will complete five-year term; general elections in July

GWADAR: Pakistan accomplished yet another milestone Monday as it transformed the dream of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into reality by making the Gwadar Economic Free Zone operational.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi inaugurated the Gwadar Free Zone and the Expo 2018 and reiterated that the ongoing policies of economic development would continue no matter which party forms the next government as these were aimed at development and prosperity of the nation. He reiterated that the country would hold its next general election in July this year after the completion of the five-year term of the PML-N government.

The prime minister termed CPEC a ‘game changer’ and said the potential of Gwadar has been fully realized owing to the vision of President Xi Jinping and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif. He said due to the dedication and hard work of Pakistani and Chinese teams, both CPEC and Gwadar were heading towards a bright future. Addressing the challenges of Balochistan, the prime minister said the future of the province was in the hands of its political leadership. He said the provincial government needs to develop the entire coastline. He said there was an urgent need to transform Gwadar into an international city, which was fully functional and can serve the future demands of its people. He said the provincial government has to confront the challenges ahead.

He said the federal government would equally share in the equalization package for Gwadar so as to provide quality services in health, education and other social sectors for the people of Balochistan. In this regard he said funding for each district of Balochistan would start this year.

Abbasi mentioned the ongoing modernization of the railway system from Karachi to Peshawar and Khunjerab to Gwadar, upgrading of road network, building of necessary infrastructure, building of power projects and setting up of special economic zones to bring prosperity to the people of Pakistan through generation of economic activity, increase in exports and creation of jobs.

He said the new motorway networks would bring prosperity not only to Central Asian States, Western China and Afghanistan but also Pakistan and strengthen President Xi’s vision of Belt and Road Initiative. He said Gwadar was the most visible section of this vision and termed it the most important contribution of the Chinese president for the future generations. He said the CPEC projects were based on financial viability and environmental sustainability.

The prime minister recalled his recent visit to Davos where at one of the forum on ‘Shared future in a fractured world’ he recalled pointing that President Xi Jinping was building on linkages of the past for a future of tomorrow.

The prime minister later formally inaugurated the first phase of Gwadar Free Zone. He along with the chief minister, CJSCS, president AJK and others jointly pressed a large button to unfurl a huge red and green banner, covering the front gate of economic free zone, amidst a huge applause of Pakistani and Chinese nationals gathered at the historic event. The prime minister also opened the Gwadar Expo 2018 – the two-day conference and exhibition aimed at providing a platform for Pakistani and Chinese businessmen already working on CPEC-related projects. The prime minister visited different sections of the free zone, business centre and the exhibition hall showcasing over 100 stalls by the companies. Spread over 60 acres, Gwadar Free Zone will be operated by China Overseas Port Holding Company, which has also set up a business centre for handling of operations.

The business centre will provide a one-window operation for matters including immigration, customs, visa operations and port clearance facilities.

The south area of the free zone (Phase I) will develop a commercial logistics zone with the leading functions of commodity exhibition, transit and distribution, relying on the existing port as well as fishery processing.

Processing and manufacturing areas will be developed in the north area and divided into three construction phases. Daily necessities and small household appliances, fishery, stone processing, machinery manufacturing and metal processing are the main introduced industries.

The Free Zone will adopt tax exemption policy in the development of bonded logistics.

Published in Daily Times, January 30th 2018.


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