Gwadar Port opens for transit trade – Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The port of Gwadar was opened for transit trade and the first ship in this direction will arrive next week, a subcommittee of the Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs of the Senate was reported Tuesday.

The officials of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs informed the subcommittee about transit trade and transhipment. The agency was informed that the Afghan commercial transit module (ATT) required some changes that have been applied and after the initial tests it is ready for application.

The Senate body was informed that the first ATT shipment would arrive on October 8, next week, to the port of Gwadar, which will gradually increase.

The subcommittee coordinator, Senator Kauda Babar, a native of Gwadar, pointed to gaps in the planning and development of the area.

Officials acknowledged that the main competitors of the port of Gwadar would be the ports of Singapore and Dubai, since incentives such as charges for delayed loading and three-month storage facilities would surely divert business to Gwadar.

The subcommittee also discussed the storage facilities for fish processing inside or outside the port, the committee ensured that no additional taxes would be imposed on Chinese companies to establish such facilities and investments in this regard.

The subcommittee discussed the legal framework, rules and regulations related to the dumping of fish and reprocessing facilities at the port of Gwadar to local and foreign investors, including Chinese companies. Senator Babar said: "the main companies will be asked to adopt a resolution to employ the local population for jobs in these facilities."

It was also decided that there should be a national-level policy regarding fishing trawlers and a uniform mechanism should be formulated for all provinces, since marine fishing takes place on the shores of Sindh and in Balochistan. The subcommittee reported that the revised PC-1 of the Eastbay Expressway Project in Gwadar would be submitted to Ecnec for approval.

Investigating the issue of internet connectivity and the price of Rs14 million issued by PTCL for works related to the connection and installation of Fiber Optics, the committee was informed that PTCL has now agreed to such configuration.

The matter is being handled by PTCL and China Overseas Ports Holding Company Pakistan (Pvt.) Ltd. (COPHC) and members noted that the distance from the gate to the post was around three kilometers compared to the 6.4 km They have quoted.

"Therefore, the charges are exaggerated," Senator Babar added.

The meeting was attended by Senators Moula Bux Chandio and Muhammad Akram, as well as senior officials of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Information Technology and Telecommunications, the Federal Revenue Board of the Port Authority of Gwadar, PTCL and others.

Posted on Dawn, October 2, 2019