Gwadar port to receive first major cargo shipment on Oct 18’

[Shahzaz ud din]

‘Gwadar port to receive first major cargo shipment on Oct 18’
By Our Correspondent
Published: September 29, 2017
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A general view of the Pakistani coastal town of Gwadar on the Arabian Sea in this March 19, 2007. PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI: Multi-billion dollar projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Gwadar are moving towards completion at a rapid pace, Minister of State for Ports and Shipping Chaudhry Iqbal Jafri said on Thursday.

The road from Gwadar port to Coastal Highway will be completed within one year while master plan of the zone is to be completed in December, he said while talking to the media.

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“Gwadar airport’s runway, the largest in Pakistan, will also be completed within a year while Gwadar Port is expected to receive its first major cargo ship on October 18,” the minister claimed.

He said that a planned business centre to facilitate foreign investors in Gwadar Free Economic Zone will also be completed by December this year. “Work on a six-track road and a railway track from Gwadar Port to Gwadar Free Economic Zone will soon start to speed up shipment of cargo.

“Pakistan will get 9% share in revenue of Gwadar Free Economic Zone or 30% to 32% of the total profit from the zone.”

Answering a question, the official said that the government has given the Gwadar Free Economic Zone’s land to Chinese developers for 40 years while it has issued a lease of 99 years to Chinese companies planning to set up manufacturing units. “CPEC projects are aimed at creating jobs for Pakistani people and building foreign exchange reserves for the country,” he said.

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“The government has devised an effective strategy to provide water and electricity in Gwadar,” he claimed, adding that provision of basic utilities will be ensured before plants become operational.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2017.

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Chinese firm to lend Rs15bn for Eastbay Expressway
The Newspaper's Staff ReporterUpdatedSeptember 29, 2017
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KARACHI: The six-lane 19.5km-long Eastbay Expressway in Gwadar will be developed by China Communication Construction Company (CCCC), which will give Rs15 billion interest-free loan, said Minister of State for Ports and Shipping Chaudhry Jaffar Iqbal on Thursday.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed earlier on Sunday.

Under the MoU, CCCC will develop the expressway as well as lay down two train tracks which will be connected to the Gwadar Port. The company will develop these projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The minister said on Oct 18, a big vessel will be calling at Gwadar Port.

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Next year, Pakistan’s longest runway and airport will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs18-20bn for which China will give a grant, the minister added.

He said Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) is going to construct a business centre at the free trade zone which will be completed in a period of two years. The centre will house a community centre, as well as Customs, PNSC, FBR, and emigration offices.

The minister said a major chunk of land which belongs to Pakistan Railways is lying idle at Pipri. Under a plan, it will be used to start goods trains so that instead of loading containers from ports on truck, railways is utilised, he added.

Presently, around four thousand empty containers, left behind by shipping companies, are occupying space at Karachi Port. Under a plan and with the help of customs authorities these containers will be auctioned, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan National Shipping Corporation Chairman Arif Elahi said that in order to enhance the oil storage capacity by 120,000 tonnes, PNSC will be constructing oil tanks at an estimated cost of Rs3.75bn.

Out of the total cost of Rs3.75bn, the federal government will be providing 50 per cent funds and the balance will be given by PNSC.

PNSC has completed its home work and efforts are afoot to get permission from relevant authorities, the chairman added.

Published in Dawn, September 29th, 2017