ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Maritime Affairs announced that the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) and a Chinese company have agreed to increase investment at Gwadar Port, indicating an important step toward transforming the facility into a major regional trade hub.
In this sense, the Chinese firm Shenning Enterprise has signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the GPA to promote industrial and commercial investment at the port and its Free Zone.
The agreement indicates Gwadar’s growing importance as a strategic trade and economic centre for the region.
So far, the LoI, outlining various development projects, was signed by Yi Jiang of Shenning Enterprise and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs Umer Zafar Sheikh. GPA Chairman Noor-ul-Haq Baloch attended the signing ceremony virtually.
The planned projects include developing Gwadar into a regional trans-shipment hub, launching new industrial initiatives, upgrading existing facilities in the Free Zone, and relocating certain industries to the area.
In this sense, Chinese business delegation also met Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Mohammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry to discuss ways to improve Gwadar Port’s operational efficiency.
In this regard, Minister Chaudhry described the partnership as “a milestone in strengthening Gwadar’s strategic importance,” noting that Shenning Enterprise could help boost the port’s capacity, attract foreign investment, and contribute to the region’s overall economic growth.
Meanwhile, both sides reasserted their commitment to fully comply with Pakistan’s legal and regulatory framework governing the port and Free Zone. They also pledged to continue discussions to identify investment opportunities, finalise operational details, and establish mechanisms for sustained cooperation.
In addition, Gwadar Port, constructed over a decade ago, has yet to achieve full operational potential.
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In January, the government urged the private sector to route cargo through the port and sought detailed proposals to promote trade activities. Efforts have since intensified to activate the port for commercial use.
