70 replies to this topic

[Alam]

Designed by: N/A
Status: Under Development
Contractors: N/A
Infrastructure Type: Sea Port
Construction Date: 2002
Completion Date: N/A
Client: Gwadar Development Authority (GDA)
Length: N/A km
Area: N/A Acres
Location: Gwadar, Baluchistan

Render: None
Description: N/A
Site Plan: N/A
Google Image: N/A
Website: N/A

[Alam]

Gwadar port to be operational on Dec 30

ISLAMABAD : The Senate was informed on Wednesday that Gwadar Port would be operational by Dec 30, 2006. During the question hour, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Kamil Ali Agha said that 90 per cent work on the first phase of the port had been completed.

He said although problems were being faced in construction of roads, the project would be handed over to operators by Dec 30.

Mr Agha said the first phase would have cost Rs14.9 billion while the second phase would cost Rs525 million.

He pointed out that initially a 12-metre-long channel had been dug which turned out insufficient, adding that its length would now be increased to 15 or 16 metres. He said 70 per cent work had been completed.

In the second phase, he said, 21 berths would be built but construction had not started yet. He said the work had been delayed as funds provided by China in the first phase was only for the construction of small ports and light berths leading Pakistan to seek more Chinese assistance.

Rejecting opposition’s allegations that funds allocated for Gwadar Port were being spent on Karachi Port, he said inadequacy of roads and civil work were the main reasons causing problems in the construction work of the new port.

The minister said that transportation facilities in sea were not available in the country as the water level did not keep the same the whole year.

Pak Tribune

[Jilawatan]

Gwadar port meets security standards

By our correspondent

KARACHI: The Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) has fully complied with the requirements of International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code.

The Port Facility Security Assessment and Port Facility Security Plan of GPA were scrutinized and approved by the Directorate General, Ports and Shipping, Karachi.

The Director General Ports And Shipping Capt Anwar Shah has now issued a statement of compliance of a port facility to GPA, as required under the provisions of ISPS Code on Oct 5, 2006.

ISPS code is a mandatory requirement under SOLAS Chapter XI-1 to which Pakistan is signatory. After 9/11, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) approved this new measure of Security for Ports and Ships to protect them from any terrorist activity.

Pakistan and its ports and shipping took the lead and ISPS Code was implemented at Karachi and Port Qasim before cut off date of July 1, 2004. IMO secretary general appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to be among the first thirteen countries to implement this code.

Now all our ports are ISPS compliant and vessels of any nationality/flag can call Gwadar, as well. ISPS is a pre-requisite for vessels to call a safe port. IMO has been advised that Gwadar is also an ISPS compliant port.

Source: The News

[Tekno Arkitect]

Oil city to be established in Gwadar ;Accord signed to set up LNG terminal at Port Qasim

By Khalid Mustafa

ISLAMABAD: The government is all set to establish an 'oil city' with an investment of $40 billion at Gwadar Port to make it the biggest crude and refined oil storage base in the region, a senior government official told The News.

For this purpose, the government has allotted 12,500 acres of land in Gwadar. It will be made available on lease at nominal rates to interested parties for setting up refineries or making investment in oil logistics and storage facilities.

The official said the project would be completed in two phases. In phase-1, a 'petrochemical city' will be set up with an initial investment of $12.5 billion. In this city, a big refinery, along with petrochemical, oil logistics and storage complexes, will be set up. In first three years, the refinery will be able to refine 10.5 million tonnes of oil annually. The capacity of this refinery will be increased to up to 21 million tonnes in seven to nine years. The official said the Chinese Petroleum Chamber would come up with $12.5 billion investment plan for the project. In addition to it, some companies from the Middle East have also shown interest to set up refineries at Gwadar Port.

Under the second phase of the plan, the capacity of refineries in the 'oil city' will be enhanced to 63 million tonnes in fifteen years," the official said. "We have allowed a Chinese company to initiate the project for power generation and water de-salination prior to initiating the construction of the 'oil city'," he added.

Reuters adds from Dubai: A consortium, including Dana Gas has signed an agreement to develop a liquefied natural gas terminal in Karachi at an estimated cost of $200 million, the UAE company said on Sunday.

A statement said Dana Gas, Single Buoy Moorings (SBM) and US-based Granada Group signed the memorandum of understanding for the LNG terminal at Port Qasim, which would have an initial capacity of 3.5 million tonnes a year.

It said the consortium was holding talks with major LNG producers, but did not name them. "Dana Gas has the objective to develop a network of LNG terminals mainly in the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region and to tap into the LNG value chain including LNG trading activities," the statement said. It said Dana Gas signed a cooperation agreement with SBM, under which the United Arab Emirates firm would focus on LNG marketing activities and SBM on the supply and operation of LNG floating storage and regasification terminals. "The newly formed alliance will initially target LNG terminal projects in Pakistan, Lebanon and Kuwait," it said.

Pakistan, which has its own gas fields, expects to have a supply deficit as soon as 2008. Plans to import LNG and pipeline gas from Iran and Turkmenistan are based on projected gas demand growth of about 6.5 per cent a year. Industry sources in Pakistan have said they expected the LNG terminal to be completed around 2010.

Dana Gas was set up to deliver gas to utilities and industrial users in the UAE. With an agreement to import Iranian natural gas delayed, Dana Gas' second-quarter earnings came entirely from investments and financing activity. The firm said it aims to invest in the upstream gas industry in the Middle East, the transmission and distribution sector and gas-related industries such as petrochemicals.

The statement said natural gas consumption in the Middle East has been growing by an average 5.9 per cent a year in the last 10 years, driven mostly by demand for power generation due to growing populations and an industrialisation drive.

source: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=29841

[Jilawatan]

Ambassadors see bright future for Gwadar Port

By Our Staff Reporter

ISLAMABAD, Jan 13: Diplomats based in the capital believe that Gwadar Port and Coastal Highway projects have great potential to improve economic conditions of the region, but expressed doubt whether the government will be able to complete the two mega projects in time, owing to the law and order situation prevalent in Balochistan.

Some of the ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats who visited Gwadar and Pasni on Thursday, said they would recommend to their respective governments to arrange more visits of businessmen to Gwadar to assess investment opportunities in the area.

The day-long visit of diplomats was arranged by the Ministry of Communications to show them the ongoing development activities in the coastal areas of the province. It was for the first time that ambassadors and high commissioners of major countries visited Gwadar in such a large number to see future prospects of foreign investment in the area.

As many as 38 diplomats visited the Gwadar Port site and travelled on a 135-kilometre section of the Makran Coastal Highway amid tight security arrangements.

Before the visits to the two sites, the envoys were given a briefing by Communications Minister Shamim Siddiqui and officials of the Gwadar Port Authority, the Gwadar Development Authority and the National Highway Authority, on the two mega projects, at a hotel in Gwadar.

The foreign dignitaries were flown to Gwadar early Thursday morning in a special C-130 aircraft, with a group of mediapersons, and returned to Islamabad from Pasni the same evening.

“I will recommend (to) my government to arrange a visit of businessmen and traders to explore investment opportunities in Gwadar,” said Turkish Ambassador Engin Saysal after the visit.

Terming the briefing “excellent”, the Turkish ambassador said Gwadar had a “bright future”. He said he believed that Turkish construction firms would be interested in undertaking development projects in Gwadar.

Indian High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal said it was “very thoughtful” of the Pakistani government that it arranged such a visit and briefing for diplomats. “I am glad that such development activities are taking place in Pakistan,” he said, adding that “India will be happy to see a strong and prosperous Pakistan”.

Replying to a question on what contribution could India make in the development of Gwadar Sea Port, Mr Pal said it depended on the Pakistani government and what it wanted from India. He said there was no bar on Indian businessmen from investing in foreign countries, including Pakistan. He was of the view that Gwadar Port would not affect trade and economic activity in India.

Turkmenistan Ambassador Sapar Berdiniyazov, who also spoke on behalf of the diplomats after the briefing, said the Central Asian Republics were anxiously waiting for the completion of the Gwadar Port project. He said the Gwadar Port would “serve as a gateway for the landlocked Central Asian republics”.

He stressed the need for laying a railway track between Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan and improving the road network. He said his country wanted to use the Gwadar Port to transport Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to other countries. The UK High Commissioner, Robert Brinkley, said he was happy to visit Gwadar, adding that it was upto the British businessmen to decide whether they wanted to invest in the port city of Balochistan. Prominent among the diplomats who visited Gwadar and Pasni on Thursday were Larbaoui Nadir (Algeria), Eynulla Madatli (Azerbaijan), FA Shamim Ahmed (Bangladesh), Michel Goffin (Belgium), David B. Collins (Canada), Hany Bassiony (Egypt), Jan De Kok (European Union), Regis Belenet (France), Bela Fazekas (Hungary), Yuyun Kamnayun (Indonesia), Hiroyuki Kishino (Japan), Mishi Masika Mwatsahu (Kenya).

www.dawn.com

[Alam]

Gwadar Port Master Plan - Implications for Energy Sector Development

[Jilawatan]

Govt indecisive on role, status of Gwadar port



By Pervaiz Ishfaq Rana
KARACHI, Feb 5: The government appears to be indecisive about the status and role of Gwadar port, and shipping circles are not clear whether it will be a hub port accommodating mother ships for trans-shipment trade or merely a feeder port catering on to the needs of the hinterland.

The issue came up during a presentation given by a government official to a gathering of experts from shipping circles and ports. He downplayed the trans-shipment role of Gwadar. Instead, he assigned priority to industrial free zone, petrochemicals and storage. This is not an issue as simple as it looks, because there is a huge difference between the two categories of ports. Engineering, infrastructure and back-up requirements for the two differ widely, as do the port development costs. The two types of parts also demand different marketing skills.

Why did the government spend millions of dollars on a deep draft up to 14.5 metres when it did not want Gwadar, strategically located outside the Strait of Hormuz, to be a hub port? The question is going the rounds ever since an official of the Gwadar Port Authority indicated this during a seminar organised by the Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association.

More intriguing is the role of relevant authorities which advertised for bids from port operators regarding the draft at 11.5 metres while the actual draft was planned to be 14.5 metres. This perhaps was meant to block certain bidders, alleged some people in port and shipping circles. Some experts are of the opinion that its strategic location and importance in the region demand lots of care and thorough investigation regarding linkages and interests of the entities to be allowed access to it.

They have reservations about endowing pilotage to a foreign firm because, according to them, this should be the responsibility of the Gwadar Port Authority owing to the port’s importance for national security. It should be the GPA’s responsibility to determine the category of vessels being brought into the port for berthing, whether warships or merchant ships.

Though officials are not ready to divulge details of contracts, it is generally perceived that a major part of fee charged by consultants is being used for marketing the port. Some experts maintain that marketing of the port should be the responsibility of operators and not of consultants.

Another area of uncertainty concerns the government’s reluctance to give priority to trans-shipment, meaning that no shipping line would commit itself to Gwadar port and only feeder vessels will call there. This will definitely provide relief to Dubai and Salalah ports which had reasons to feel threatened by the potential of Gwadar.

The 50-year lease period for Gwadar is another factor worrying the experts who say that nowhere in the world a long-term contract is of more than 25 years, mid-term for more than 10-15 years and a short-term contract for more than 5-7 years.

Even in cases where a port is given on ‘build, operate and transfer’ (BOT) basis and operators bring in all the required equipment, the maximum lease period never exceeds 20 to 25 years – in no case 50 years as has been the case with Gwadar port.

As for revenue factors, the experts believe that the revenue-sharing formula goes against the interest of the port. By moving away from the conventional method, the negotiators seem to have overlooked the fact that in case of the port stopping operations there would be no revenue. According to the experts, the GPA or the national exchequer will bear the cost of navigational channel maintenance, dredging, security and fire-fighting, all of which are of permanent nature.

The port, by all standards, is more suitable for trans-shipment cargo because of its location on the world sea route. It would cater to the needs of the Central Asian states through Iran as the first border post is a mere 70km away from the port.

Iran has the entire infrastructure along with rail and road links, while on the Pakistani side the National Highway Authority has already built a road from Gwadar to the Iranian border.

Above all, the country’s cargo which at present comes through Dubai and Salalah as transhipment cargo will then directly land at Gwadar to be carried by road to Karachi and other parts of the country. This will not only save freight and time but will also enable Pakistani exporters and importers to compete in the world market, the experts said.

[MAA]

Gwadar port handed over to Singapore firm

Accord signed; PM says port to change destiny of Balochistan people

GWADAR: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Tuesday that the Gwadar port project would change the destiny of the people of Balochistan by improving their living standards and providing increased job opportunities.

Talking to newsmen after the signing of a concession agreement between the Gwadar Port Authority (GDA) and the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) at a local hotel, he said, “Gwadar will become an attractive destination for cargo traffic providing better facilities to large vessels,” he said.

Replying to a question, the prime minister said the Port Singapore Authority will invest $550 million during the next five years and no duty would be imposed on the machinery to be imported for development work in this area.

He told another questioner that the Gwadar deep seaport would not only enhance Pakistan’s strategic importance in South-West Asian region but it would also usher in a new era of socio-economic development in Balochistan.

“We want to operate this port in the best possible manner. We have selected the best company which is already operating ports in 11 countries,” he added. Shaukat said the Gwadar port would be linked with the Central Asian Republics (CARs), besides its linkage with the Coastal Highway, the Indus Highway and the Karachi Coastal Highway. A railway link with the entire country was also being actively considered, he added.

Earlier addressing the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the Gwadar port would offer a world class transhipment cargo facility at a low cost for the entire region as well as Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Commodore (retd) Munir Wahid and group CEO PSA Eddie E G Teh signed the agreement in the presence of the prime minister. Acting Senate Chairman Mir Jan Jamali, Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani, Chief Minister Jam Yousuf, Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, federal ministers, including, Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghauri, Jahangir Khan Tareen, Muhammad Ali Durrani, Zubaida Jalal, Naseer Mengal, parliamentarians, local notables, including Nazim Gwadar were also present on the occasion.

“This port will serve as an entry point for Afghanistan and Central Asia and bring in change in the life of the people of Balochistan and Gwadar by creating enormous job opportunities and improve life standards,” he said.

The prime minister said the government was building a road network to connect the Gwadar port to Afghanistan and Central Asia. He said the draft of the Gwadar port was 14.5 metres deep which would allow large vessels to berth here off load cargo for feeder ships to take to other ports in the region. “The PSA will operate this port on modern lines and use the latest operational techniques currently being used world over at the international ports,” he added.

Shaukat said the location of the port was unique and it was geographically located in the Gulf region and facilitated the handling of cargo to and from Afghanistan and Central Asia. Similarly, coming up of new industrial zones in Gwadar would also contribute to the importance of this port in the area. He hoped that the PSA would bring in leading shipping lines to this port and they would get first class service here.

Enumerating the benefits of the port for the people of Gwadar and Balochistan, he said they would get jobs, improve their living standards and the area would get investment. “We are training people so that they can get jobs here at the state-of-the-art port. The Gwadar port will brighten the future of this area and region and people will see development. This port will generate so many jobs that workforce in Gwadar would fall short of requirements,” he said.

The Gwadar port will serve as a hub in the region and cargo will be shipped through feeder vessels to other nearby ports. He said this would be the only port of its kind in Pakistan. He pointed out that previously Pakistan-bound cargo was delayed due to handling at other regional ports raising the freight cost. “This will reduce shipment time, cut cost and provide job opportunities to locals,” he added.

The prime minister praised Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghauri for speedily completing the bidding process in a transparent manner. “Gwadar is witnessing a development revolution as industrial zones are being developed, new world class hotels are coming up, housing schemes are developed,” he said.

Shaukat said the boat building activity had geared up in Gwadar and the number of new boats was increasing which will further enhance income of the people in the area. “Today is a defining day in the history of Pakistan and the history of ports and shipping in the country. The Gwadar port is gradually becoming a reality and will be formally opened by the end of March by the president of Pakistan when the first mega ship will berth at this port,” the prime minister said.

He said it took six years for the Port Qasim to take first ship. He said when the Dubai port was developed, it had only two miles of metal road. He said Pakistan has signed the agreement with the PSA for operating and managing the Gwadar port. “They are experienced world class port operators. With their marketing ability they will be able to attract mother vessels to come to Gwadar and tranship the cargo to other ports in the region,” he noted. We are changing the destiny of Gwadar. We will promote tourism here and new airport and hotels are coming up here.”

He said a new fishing port would also be developed a few minutes away from the Gwadar port where fishermen would land their catch. He said infrastructure was being developed in Gwadar to support the port.

Earlier, Group CEO PSA Eddie Teh in his address said the Gwadar port would offer transhipment cargo facility to the land-locked countries, like Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics. He said this port would berth mega ships like panamax vessels which prefer to go to deep seaports in the world.

Source: The News

[MAA]

i think the above article shows clearly the function/ role Gwadar port and city will play in Pakistan's economic future.

[Jilawatan]

Gwadar Port agreement criticised: Call for debate in Senate, PA
By Saleem Shahid
QUETTA, Feb 6: The Secretary-General of National Party, Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, has demanded that all agreements signed by the federal government with international firms for exploitation of mineral and other resources of Balochistan be presented in the Senate and the Balochistan Assembly.

"Islamabad is ignoring the people and the Baloch leadership and is signing accords with various international firms without taking them into confidence," he said here on Tuesday.

He described the attitude of the federal government non-serious and anti-people and said that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz signed an agreement with the Singapore Port Authority for handing over the Gwadar Port against the will of the Baloch people and without consulting the Baloch leadership.

"This attitude of the federal government exposes the attitude of Islamabad towards this province and its people," Mir Bizenjo said, adding that the rulers were interested only in their commissions and kickbacks in such projects.

Mr Bizenjo said that the Reko Dik mineral project and the Gwadar port had great importance for Balochistan after Sui gas and Saindak projects but the government had along been ignoring the people of the province and their leadership in this regard.

He said that the industry in the country was running on gas from Balochistan, but instead of giving due share to the people of the province the government had been launching military operations in Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts for one and a half years. He said the people of these districts were facing serious problems.

Referring to the Saindak project in Chagai district, Mir Bizenjo said that the Chinese company was earning millions of dollars from the copper-cum-gold project but it was a matter of great concern that Balochistan, the owner of the huge mineral reserves, was being paid only Rs100 million a year.

"Paying Rs100 million annually is peanuts and great injustice to Balochistan," he said.

He warned that the Baloch leadership would not accept any accords signed by the government with foreign firms if it was not taken into confidence and not presented in the Senate of Pakistan and the Balochistan Assembly.

He announced full support for the political struggle launched by the Baloch people and political parties for protection of their rights and resources.

Amanullah Kasi adds: The Balochistan National Party (Mengal) has criticised the federal government’s decision to hand over the operation of the Gwadar Port to the Singapore Port Authority.

Speaking at a meeting held on the death anniversary of Mir Asad Mengal, son of Ataullah Mengal, in Ahmed Khanzai on Tuesday, leaders of the party declared that they would continue their struggle against what they called usurpation of their resources.

BNP-M acting president Malik Wali Kakar, Baloch Students Organisation’s chairman Mohiuddin Baloch, Malik Naseer Shahwani, Musa Baloch, Ahmed Nawaz Bungulzai, Ghulam Nabi Marri and Ghulam Rasool Mengal spoke on the occasion.

Criticising the federal government for bypassing the Baloch leadership and the Balochistan government while deciding to transfer the management of the Gwadar Port to the Singapore Port Authority, the speakers said the decision was an infringement of rights of the Baloch people.

BNP-M leaders cautioned the government and the foreign port authority that the Baloch leadership would not abide by any decision made by the federal government and the Singapore Port Authority without the consent of the owners of the land. They condemned the excesses committed against Sardar Akhtar Mengal in Karachi prison and ex-MNA Rauf Mengal and former MPA Akbar Mengal in Zhob district jail.

[Jilawatan]

Agreement signed for Gwadar Port operations

By Shamim-ur-Rahman
GWADAR, Feb 6: The deep-sea Gwadar Port will emerge as a central energy port in the region, said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz after the signing of a 40-year agreement between the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) and the Concession Holding Company (CHC) — a subsidiary of the Singapore Port Authority — for operating and managing the port. The agreement was signed by Eddie Teh, CEO of the SPA Group, Commodore Muneer Wahid, acting chairman of the GPA, and Aslam Hayat, chairman, GP Implementation Authority.

Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghouri, Balochistan Governor Owais Ghani and chief ministers of Balochistan and Sindh were present on the occasion.

“Gwadar port will become an important and strategic storage destination because it is located near the world’s largest hydro-carbon resources,” said Mr Aziz, adding: “With the passage of time the port will help improve the living conditions of the people of Balochistan. It will also increase job opportunities in the area.

“Gwadar will become an attractive destination for cargo traffic as it will provide better facilities to larger vessels.”

He further said the cost of doing business in Gwadar would be less than in Dubai while it had all prospects to become a support centre for Dubai.

The port will be formally inaugurated by President Pervez Musharraf in March when a cargo vessel will be docked at the harbour built with the Chinese assistance. Mr Aziz did not give a particular date but according to sources it is around March 22.

The SPA, which operates 22 ports in 11 countries will invest $550 million in next five years, said the prime minister.

Duties will not be imposed on the machinery to be imported for development work in the area, he said, adding that plans were afoot to establish a new airport and an industrial zone at Gwadar.

Delving on the government’s plan to develop network of roads and other infrastructure, he said a rail link encompassing the entire country is also being actively considered.

Discussing the technical and financial support, he said, “China has greatly helped us in translating the dream of Gwadar Port into a reality.”

The areas where the concession agreement is to be implemented are terminal and cargo handling operations, marine services and free zone development.

The GPA will receive a fixed share of revenue. About nine per cent has been set for cargo operations and marine services and 15 per cent for free zone business.

[Jilawatan]

No attempt to be made to bring cargo from other national ports: PSA

KARACHI: Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) said Wednesday that no attempt would be made to bring cargo f Karachi Port and Port Qasim to Port of Gwadar; however, the arriving cargo would not be turned away.

Talking at Geo News programme 'Dunya Karobar', Chairman PSA Gwadar Khurram Abbas said that no attempt would be made to bring cargo from other ports of the country; however, in this era of free market, business cannot be halted.

Khurram Abbas said there is no obstruction being faced from 40-year pact with the government of Pakistan in this connection.

PSA Chairman did not unveil details of tariffs; however, he said that tariffs of Gwadar Port would be determined keeping in view the tariffs of other ports of the region.

Talking on the occasion, Shipping Association Chairman Sohail Shams said that shipping sector is expecting Gwadar tariffs to be less than those of Karachi Port and Port Qasim by 25 per cent.

[Jilawatan]

7pc of Gwadar Port income to be given to Balochistan: Ghouri



GWADAR: Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Ghouri said Friday that seven per cent of the total income of Gwadar Port would be given to Balochistan, whereas, the port jobs from grade one to 16 would given to the people who belong to the province.

He said this while he inaugurated the construction work of Civic Centre in Gwadar.

Federal minister said four-storeyed building of Civic Centre would be completed within 18 months at the cost of 188 million, adding that the building will contain offices of all civic institutions.

“The Gwadar Port civil work has been completed; whereas, the arrangements are being finalized for the inauguration of port by President Musharraf in the third week of March,” Port and Shipping minister said adding that Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz will also attend the inauguration ceremony.

[Skyscraper_guy]

Only 7%??? This doesn't seem fair to me. They cud have at the very minimum given them atleast 10%.

[Jilawatan]

Only 7%??? This doesn't seem fair to me. They cud have at the very minimum given them atleast 10%.

There must be a reason, the jobs that are created will bring a new age for Balochistan. Though, if Gwadar takes off we should still not move the provincial capital. We do not want Gwadar getting tied up in our dirty politics.

[Jilawatan]

Japan-based Pakistanis seek intermediary facility at Gwadar

Staff Report

LAHORE: The Pakistani expatriates in Japan have sought government help for establishment of intermediary facility at Gwadar Port for the re-export of Japan-made vehicles to the other parts of the world.

An eight-member delegation headed by Pakistan Association Japan President, Mr Behlum Shahzad Ali, said this while talking to LCCI President Shahid Hassan Sheikh here at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday. Provincial Commerce & Investment Secretary Saeed Ahmad Alvi and LCCI Vice-President Mubasher Sheikh also spoke on the occasion. Shahzad Ali said that at the moment the whole business of used vehicles in being done in Dubai but Pakistanis in Japan want to make Gwadar a hub of such activity.

The delegates from Japan also showed a keen interest in making investment in petrochemicals and plastic raw materials, as Pakistan has no manufacturing facility in this sector so far. They were of the view that the government should also divert its attention towards law and order situation in the country, which is sending wrong signals abroad and coming in the way of direct foreign investment. "The land mafia in Pakistan is quite active to undo the efforts of the government which is taking all measures to convert it into an investment-friendly country. There is a need that the government should take all necessary steps to curb these evils once for all."

Speaking on the occasion, LCCI President Shahid Hassan Sheikh briefed the delegation on investment scenario in Pakistan. He said that Pakistan is now on the road to economic stability and it needs a positive response of foreign investors to prove its worth as an attractive investment destination. He said development of Gwadar Deep Sea Port and industrial estates all over the country provide best possible infrastructural facilities to foreign investors. Road and rail linkages to neighboring countries are the added advantages, which cannot be ignored as far as global businesses are concerned. The LCCI President said that the trade between Pakistan and Japan needs more concerted efforts and this should be from both the sides. He said with the introduction of new investment policy, the foreign investors are allowed to hold 100 percent equity on industrial projects without any permission of the government. He said that it is high time for the foreign investors to take advantage of business-friendly policies of the present government.

dailytimes.com.pk

[Jilawatan]

Ships rounded up for Gwadar port opening
By our correspondent

KARACHI: Although the government is all set for the ceremonial opening of the Gwadar port on Tuesday, authorities have failed to attract shippers or port users so far.

For the purpose of inauguration alone, the authorities have managed berthing of a few ships at the new port for a while. For this purpose, the port authorities have requested the owner of MV Yazdan to take their vessel to Gwadar, informed sources revealed to The News.

Yazdan was anchored at the Karachi Shipyard for more than a month for repairs, and renewal of certificates. Now, this ship has been moved to Gwadar with several containers (some empty and some filled with goods) from Karachi port for offloading at Gwadar port, sources said.

Authorities also managed docking of MV Sibbi of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) for the port’s opening ceremony. Practically, not a single importer has booked his cargo for the Gwadar port, sources said. No exporter or port user has expressed interest in the usage of the port, they said.

For the inauguration ceremony, authorities have managed the berthing of three ships, sources said. Though the circles associated with the shipping in the country did not deny the importance of Gwadar in the future, they said that a minimum 6-8 years were required for a port to develop into a busy port of call. It takes time, they said. Tuesday’s is not more than a political show, they maintained.

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=47533

[Jilawatan]

Musharraf opens Gwadar Port today

ISLAMABAD: President Gen Pervez Musharraf will formally inaugurate the Gwadar Port on today (Tuesday).

A Chinese delegation is in Pakistan to attend the launch, for which the government has tightened security around Gwadar. China financed 80 percent of the initial development costs of the $248 million project.

Thousands of soldiers and policemen guarded the coast and roads to the port on Monday, while fishermen were told to stay well clear.

“We have been told to keep way from the port area for two days as President Pervez Musharraf is coming,” said fisherman Imam Buksh. “This will cause problems to many fisherman who work and earn their daily bread here.”

Conceived more than a decade ago, authorities hope the port at Gwadar, a fishing town of 70,000 people, will handle trans-shipment traffic for the Gulf and ports on the Arabian Peninsula.

Pakistan also hopes the port will become the main trade conduit for landlocked Afghanistan and Central Asia. The government aims to turn the country’s second deep-sea port after Karachi into a free-trade zone. The chief minister of Balochistan, Jam Yousuf, said the port’s first ships were on the way. “We are very happy that the first ships will be at the port so soon after its completion,” Yousuf told Reuters.

Late on Monday, two ships – one foreign and one Pakistani – were moored in the port. A third was due on Tuesday, said a government official. Militants opposed the construction of the port, and claimed responsibility for a bomb attack in 2004 that killed three Chinese technicians and wounded nine, but Yousuf played down security concerns. agencies

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-3-2007_pg7_18

[MAA]

President Musharraf formally inaugurates Gwadar deep seaport

GWADAR: President General Pervez Musharraf Tuesday formally inaugurated Gwadar deep seaport in Balochistan province.

The first cargo ship PNS Sibi anchored Monday at first seaport of the province, completed in three years at cost of Rs 16 billion with financial and technical assistance of China.

It has depth of 14.5 meters and approach channel of five kilometers. Three multipurpose berths of 210 meters in width have also been built.

The seaport would serve as economic and trade transit way for Pakistan, Afghanistan, Central Asia and Middle East countries.

Under an agreement the arrangements for operations of port have been given to Singapore International Port Authority.

[Jilawatan]

I feel like Gwadar will mark the end of a generation that failed to advance us economically.