Gwadar - A Jewel in the Crown

[UnitedPak]

Pakistan offers to import Turkmenistan gas through Gwadar

⋅ Saturday, May 2nd, 2009 ⋅

ISLAMABAD (SANA): Pakistan has planned to use Gwadar port for importing natural gas from Turkmenistan.

Special Secretary of Ministry of Oil and Gas G.A. Sabiri while briefing about the visit of advisor petroleum and gas doctor Asim Hussain to Turkmenistan, said that 14 thousand cubic feet reservoirs of gas were verified in Turkmenistan. This can be exported in the whole world through Gwadar port.

During the visit, issue of importing the gas through Gwadar port also came under discussion ‘he added.

SOUTH ASIAN NEWS AGANCY (SANA) | Pakistan offers to import Turkmenistan gas through Gwadar

 

[ajpirzada]

Gwadar to be Balochistan’s winter capital

LAHORE: The Balochistan government has decided in principle to name Gwadar as the province’s winter capital, a private TV channel reported on Thursday. The channel quoted official sources as saying that the plan to name Gwadar as the winter capital would possibly be approved in the upcoming provincial budget. The channel said Balochistan officials had held a series of meetings in Islamabad for this purpose. daily times monitor
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan


very gud step.......

 

[UnitedPak]

Gwadar likely to become Balochistan’s winter capital

QUETTA: The Balochistan government is likely to declare Gwadar as the winter capital of the province.

'A decision has been taken in principle and the plan is likely to be approved with the next provincial budget,’ sources told Dawn, adding that officials concerned were working on details of the proposal.

‘The decision will have a far-reaching impact on the economy of Balochistan, particularly of Makran,’ the sources said.

Balochistan Assembly Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani confirmed that the proposal was being actively considered. ‘If the government takes a final decision to make Gwadar the winter capital of the province, economic activities in the port city will get a big boost,’ he said.

The sources said a bench of the Balochistan High Court would also be set up in Gwadar. They said that Chief Minister Nawab Mohammad Aslam Raisani, Speaker Aslam Bhootani, the chief secretary and provincial ministers had held several meetings in Islamabad in this regard.

DAWN.COM | Provinces | Gwadar likely to become Balochistan?s winter capital

 

[Neo]

Afghanistan offered use of Gwadar, Port Qasim ​

In return Pakistan seeks access to CARs under new transit trade accord​

Sunday, May 17, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has offered Afghanistan to use Gwadar and Bin Qasim ports for trading activities under the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA) while in return it wants access to Central Asian Republics (CARs), official sources confided to The News on Saturday.

The current Afghan Transit Trade Agreement (ATTA) signed in 1965 allows Afghan cargo movement only through Karachi Port. After that, the cargo is transported to the landlocked country either through Landi Kotal in NWFP or Chaman, Balochistan.

The current ATTA does not contain any provision for transit trade to Central Asian Republics (CARs) through Afghanistan, which is an impediment to Pakistan’s efforts to become a gateway to Central Asia.

Pakistan and Afghanistan signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the US during the recent visit of President Asif Ali Zardari for improving trade and accession facilities between the two sides.

Under the MoU, both sides agreed to conclude and sign a complete Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA) as early as possible and no later than December 31, 2009. Afghanistan has submitted a draft of the new agreement with the government of Pakistan.

In view of the MoU, a joint working group met in Islamabad the other day to discuss the advantages of greater regional and global trade linkages and export-oriented business development, an official who attended the meeting told this scribe.

They also discussed trade liberation and facilitation and public outreach on trade-related issues with a goal to improve processes and reduce impediments affecting the trade and investment environment in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the same official said.

The meeting also agreed that the next meeting of the group will be held in Afghanistan in June and date will be communicated with understanding.

They also agreed to coordinate and resolve all the issues relating to cross-border commerce and inland freight transit trade.

Under the expired Afghanistan Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), Islamabad has kept six items in the negative list that include i) cigarettes, and cigarettes of tobacco or of tobacco substitute, ii) cooking oil, iii) automobile parts, iv) television, v) telephone and vi) and tyres and tubes.

 

[UnitedPak]

Gwadar Port To Be Linked With Central Asian States

ISLAMABAD: The Federal minister for Communication, Arbab Alamgir Khan has said government is working on a comprehensive plan to link Gawadar Port with International Highways particularly with Afghanistan, China, Tajikistan and other States of Central Asia.

He was talking with Ambassador of Tajikistan H.E Mr. Zubaydullo Zubaydov, who met him in his office here Monday to discuss the matter of trade development between the two country. Secretary Communication, Sharif Ahmed and Chairman National Highway Authority Altaf Ahmed Choudhry were also present in the meeting.

Minister said government is interested to complete all internal link roads to Gwadar as this road network will strengthen trade activities with neighbor countries. He hopes that neighbor countries would be taken benefit from the Gwadar Port. He said government has already allowed Afghanistan to use this port for their trade activities. Tajikistan and other Central Asian States would also be used this for their trade and business activities for which Pakistan will fully facilitate.

Federal Secretary Communication, Sharif Ahmed in the meeting disclosed that Pakistan is holding an International Conference in November to promote trade and economic activities in this region. More then 100 countries including neighbors and central Asian countries will attend the conference and exchange views relating to economic and trade activities as well as transportation system between the neighbor countries. On the occasion, The Ambassador of Tajikistan, H.E. ZUBAYDULLO ZUBAYDOV has said that Tajikistan is interested to promote trade activities with Pakistan as at present the trade volume between the two countries is very little and it should be enhanced. He said Tajikistan will fully support Pakistan in its plan of road development in Pakistan and border areas lined to Gwadar Port. He disclosed about 35 kilometers metle road has already available at Tajikistan border area to facilitate the transporters, which will be enhanced soon.

He said Tajikistan’s Minister for Communication will visit Pakistan soon to settle the matter of transportation facilities and development of road network from Pakistan to Tajikistan as Tajikistan is playing vital role promotion of trade activities between the Pakistan and CIS countries as Tajikistan is a gate way to Central Asian States.

ONLINE - International News Network

 

[UnitedPak]

Govt declares 10-year tax holiday for Gwadar Export Processing Zone

By Ijaz Kakakhel

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to provide ten-year tax holidays for Gwadar Export Processing Zone, Federal Minister for Industries and Production announced it during a press conference here on Wednesday.

The cabinet has approved awarding tax holidays for industrial units to be set up in Gwadar. The zone would be established over 46,000 acres areas where industrial units, hotels, warehouses and others would be established.

There would be zero percent sales tax on construction materials and stamp duty will also be exempted. Terming the development of Gwadar Port development as landmark achievement of the present government, he claimed that capacity of the Gwadar port was more than Karachi Port.

It would enhance Pakistan's trade with China, Russian States, Middle East, Afghanistan, Iran and others. He said that trade centres would be established at Gwadar port, which would enhance trade and economic activities in Balochistan that ultimately would help in removing their deprivation.

About fertilizer meeting held today, the minister claimed that the government decided to provide Rs 20.88 billion subsidy on imported and locally manufactured urea fertilizers for Kharif Crops. Among the total Rs 14.38 billion would be provided to local manufacturers of urea fertilizers in the form of subsidy on gas and Rs 6.5 billion subsidy would be provided on imported urea fertilizers. The price of imported urea fertilizer was Rs 1200 per 50 kg bag and the government would provide Rs 500 per bag subsidy.

The minister told reporters that 19.246 million acres area was brought under cultivation for Kharif Crops including cotton, sugarcane, rice, maize and others Three million tonnes urea fertilizers was required for cultivation on this area.

About 2.55 million tonnes urea fertilizers would be produced locally and 0.45 million tonnes would be imported. The government has already imported 164,000 tonnes while tenders have been open for 255,000 tonnes for which letters of credit would be open soon. "We are importing extra commodity in order to avert any possible risk of shortage," he added.

He requested the growers not to make panic and ensured that it was duty of the government to ensure availability of urea fertilizer in the country. The minister claimed that the panic would create black marketing, however, he cleared that retail price of urea fertilizer would be Rs 710 per 50 kg bag.

Answering a question, the minister said the government was taking appropriate measures to stop smuggling of the commodity, as its price at international level was higher as compared with price in Pakistan.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

Iran to provide Gwadar Port 100MW free of cost

ISLAMABAD: Iran has allocated a separate budget for supplying 100 megawatt electricity free of cost to Gwadar Port in Pakistan in order to ease the growing power crisis there.

All the groundwork in this connection has been completed and the power supply would start as soon as Pakistan finalized work on transmission lines, said the Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Mashaallah Shakeri in a meeting with the Federal Minister for Communications Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan here Thursday.

The Federal Minister told the ambassador that practical steps should be taken to implement the agreement signed between Pakistan and Iran last year to start bus service between Quetta and Mashad.

The Minister said that Pakistan and Iran shared a long history of friendly relations and underscored the need to enhance mutual cooperation in various sectors of economy. He said that Pakistan was working to develop new communication links with Iran in order to increase its share of trade with the latter.

He informed the Ambassador that a new road connection with Iran through Makran Coastal Highway will be opened soon which he hoped will go a long way in bringing the people of the two countries closer together. He said the opening of the new route will link Gwadar Port with the Iranian Port in Chabahar which he said could bring enormous economic benefits to the two countries. He also hoped that Iran would facilitate Pakistan as a transit to export its commodities to Turkey and offered the government’s full cooperation to the Iranian traders in their efforts to get access to the Chinese markets.

The Ambassador said that his country shared Pakistan’s desire to increase bilateral cooperation in various sectors. He said that Iran wanted to import citrus fruit and vegetables from Pakistan.

He also informed that Iran would soon start a special train service between Zahidan and Mashad for passengers coming from Pakistan. He said that his government was ready to offer Pakistan a soft loan for the construction of Nushki-Dalbandin section on Quetta-Taftan highway. He also proposed for the creation of a joint Pak-Iran shipping company.

The Minister said Pakistan would welcome Iran investment in its road sector and assured him about government’s support in this regard. He also appreciated Ambassador’s proposal for a joint shipping company and said that such a step would benefit the shipping industry in both the countries.

They also agreed on the need for a meeting between the Communication Ministers of the two countries in the near future in order to make progress on these issues. The Minister informed the Ambassador that a formal invitation in this regard would soon be extended to his country.

Secretary Communications Sharif Ahmed, Member Finance Zafar Iqbal Gondal, Member Planning Raja Nowsherwan and other high officials from National Highway Authority were also present on the occasion.

DAWN.COM | Business | Iran to provide Gwadar Port 100MW free of cost

 

[abbasniazi]

In my opinion, pakistan is going through the toughest phase of her existance, and when this is over pakistan will grow so very rapidly in every field that countries would give examples of her in the centuries to come, INSHA ALLAH....

 

[Neo]

EPZ over 46,000 acres to be set up at Gwadar, says Wattoo​

ISLAMABAD (May 21 2009): Federal Minster for Industries and Production, Manzoor Wattoo said on Wednesday that Gwadar Port has been declared as tax-free zone for 10 years, aimed at boosting exports besides promoting trade and industrial sectors of the country.

Addressing a press conference here, Wattoo said the government has decided to declare Gwadar Port as tax holiday zone for 10 years and establishing an export industry at the port. "An state-of-the-art export processing zone over 46,000 acres of land would also be established there to promote the export and zero rating of sales tax on construction material will also be exempted from stamp duty," he added.

He said that it will help improve the life standard of the people of Balochistan and would also create job opportunities in the province. He said that the country has achieved a bumper crop of wheat this year due to the prudent polices of the government and surpassed the procurement target of 6.5 million tons and reached 8 million tons.

He said that rice crop would be cultivated over 7.240 million hectares, cotton 7.044 million hectares, sugarcane 2.558 million hectares while maize would be cultivated over 2.440 million hectares this year. About 19,246,000 acres of land would be put under Kharif crop for which about 3 million tons of fertilisers would be required, he said.

About 2.55 million tons of fertilisers are manufactured locally, as there was a gap of 0.45 million tons in demand and supply of the commodity. This gap would be filled by the import of the commodity, out of which 164,000 tons has been imported and tender for the import of 255,000 has been called.

The government would ensure the import of 255,000 tons by the end of current month to ensure smooth supply of the input to growers adding that the ECC has approved the import of 0.2 million tons of fertilisers. The government is providing around Rs 6.50 billion subsidy on imported fertilisers at the rate of Rs 500 per bag of urea and besides, the subsidy of Rs 282 per bag for local manufacturers is being given which mounts to Rs 14 billion.

The minister said that the government was providing Rs 20.88 billion subsidy for Kharif crop to make the country self-sufficient in food grains. A proper strategy has also been devised to root out hoarding and black-marketing of fertilisers, he said, adding that farmers should purchase the commodity according to their needs and avoid storing the commodity for next crop.

 

[Omar1984]

Friends of Family aid to be spent on Gwadar Port: PM


ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday underlined that the aid provided by Friends of Pakistan will be spent on Balochistan especially for Gwadar Port.

While addressing in the National Assembly (NA) on Wednesday, Prime Minister Gilani said that aid provided by Friends of Pakistan would methodically be spent on Gwadar Port, as it is a hub of trade for Pakistan.

He said that it would be government’s top priority to spent relief amount on development projects in view to bolster economy and trade activities.

He further added that roads linked to Gwadar Port will be linked by Railway Network as well so that it is connected to other areas also.



ONLINE - International News Network

 

[Omar1984]

Development of Gwadar port number one priority of government: PM


ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP): Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday told the National Assembly that development of Gwadar port is number one priority of his government. “We have already made this port operational and imported fertilizer for the agriculture was operated through this port”, the Prime Minister remarked.
He said operational activities through Gwadar port has created jobs for the people there and generated economic activities.

Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani assured the House that the pledged financial assistance and funds from Friends of Democratic Pakistan, priority would be given to Balochistan in the utilization of funds.


Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency )

 

[TopCat]

In my opinion, pakistan is going through the toughest phase of her existance, and when this is over pakistan will grow so very rapidly in every field that countries would give examples of her in the centuries to come, INSHA ALLAH....

Pakistan needs this spirit from every citizen now...

 

[TopCat]

Why the port is taking so much time to go in full scale operation?? Its complete since long!!!

 

[ajpirzada]

Tajik Ambassador seeks business access through Pakistani ports
ISLAMABAD, Jul 2 (APP): Tajikistan is in a dire need of access to the world through Pakistani ports like Gwadar and Pakistan is also looking to import Tajik power to its northern areas, as it has the huge hydropower potentials and cheapest electricity in the world.This was stated by the Ambassador of Tajikistan, Zubaydov Zubaydullo Najotovich who called on the Federal Minister for Industries and Production Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo here Thursday.

The ambassador said that both the countries have signed about twenty agreements, protocols and memorandums of understanding (MoU’s) to extend cooperation in energy, communications, insurance, investments and industry.

He said that the government of Tajikistan shall be able to assure its electricity requirements by 2009 and will also export to the other countries.

For the advancement of the communication projects, the government has adopted strategy to construct new highways and bridges to link Tajikistan with neighboring countries, he added.

Cherishing brotherly relations between the two nations the Federal Minister Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo said that the Pakistan was one of the first countries who recognized the independence of Tajikistan.

He said that Pakistan was the first country who established diplomatic ties with it and opened Pakistan’s embassy in Dushanbe in 1993.

The minister further said that apart from trade and economic ties, Tajikistan has also spiritual and religious relations (wat kind of relations are these?) with Pakistan.

Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Tajik Ambassador seeks business access through Pakistani ports

 

[Hyde]

First commercial cargo ship arrives at Gwadar​

QUETTA: The first commercial cargo ship Al-Fahdah carrying 650 tons of dates anchored at Gwadar deep water port Wednesday.

Gwadar Port Authority officials told the media persons that the Gwadar is the sole port of the country having anchorage facility for supercargo ships.

"Panamics ships carrying wheat from America and Canada would also arrive at Gwadar port soon," they said, adding that commercial activities at the port would not only increase business prospects in Mekran region but also across the province.

Besides, it would immensely contribute in social wellbeing of the local population by creating innumerable job opportunities and improvement in civic infrastructure.

 

[Omar1984]

‘Efforts underway to provide road, rail links to Gwadar’
​

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Ports and Shipping Sardar Nabeel Ahmed Gabol on Friday told the National Assembly that the government is striving to provide road and rail links to the Gwadar Port to boost business activity in the area.

Responding to a question, the state minister said since its opening in December, shipping activity at the port has been in full swing. However, it would further enhance commercial activity once the port is linked through a road and railway network.

He told the House that even today, two ships are anchored at the port from which urea is being unloaded. He said the Makran Coastal Highway is coping with the needs of transportation for Karachi while efforts are under way to provide road access for upcountry parts like Khuzdar.

To another question, he said that loading and unloading capacity of three ports, including the Karachi Port, Port Qasim and Gwadar is 70 million tons, 40 million tons and three million tons per annum respectively.

He rejected the impression that the KPT was running in loss, adding that out of 33 berths at the port, 25 are in operation while the rest are being repaired to be operative within a couple of months.

Later, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr Asim Hussain said the Petroleum Policy 2007 prepared by the previous government was flawed, which incurred around $414,900.

He said the 2007 policy was not implemented, adding that as the new 2009 policy has been notified by the ministry, it incurred no expenditures.

To another question, the minister said in written reply that royalty or transit fee is applicable only in case where gas is transported to any third country such as India, which is currently not taking part in the project.

Since the imported gas is to be consumed in Pakistan only, at present no transit fee is applicable.

He said as and when India joins the project and transit fee is negotiated, the Balochistan government would be taken onboard, adding that the chief minister of Balochistan is a member of the steering committee that had decided that imported IPI gas will be dedicated to the power generation sector.