ISLAMABAD: Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Antonio Dominguez Velasco has extended all out cooperation to Pakistan for harnessing its maritime trade and ship recycling potential.
The visiting Secretary General of IMO was addressing an “International Maritime Business and Finance Conference”, here on Thursday in which Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar was the chief guest.
In his address to the conference, Velasco emphasised measures for protecting maritime environment and ensuring a sustainable working of maritime sector.
He said that international maritime organisation is not just about protecting the maritime environment but also aims at evolving such safety protocols which are necessary to continue the international maritime trade in a sustainable manner.
He said that Pakistan has great potential in trade, shipbuilding, recycling and labour workforce.
He said that the digitalisation is crucial to provide new technologies and ways of operating and enhancing connectivity besides improving the safety and operations of ports.
He also invited Pakistan to be part of the IMO’s future projects related to safety and environmental protection.
The secretary general of the IMO is on a three-day visit to Pakistan during which he will also attend an International Maritime Sustainability Exhibition in Karachi.
This is the first ever visit to Pakistan by a secretary general of the IMO. The visit will afford an opportunity for Pakistan and the Organisation to enhance collaboration in maritime sector and blue economy.
Addressing the conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Dar reiterated Pakistan's commitment to environmental sustainability, being one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.
He highlighted the initiatives for modernizing the fisheries and shipbreaking sector with advanced technology and practices.
He said that Pakistan's port sector offers significant investment opportunities with several terminals operated by international groups. “We are transforming our ports into centers of regional and international trade,” he said.
Dar said that Pakistan’s blue economy had the potential to become a driving force for national growth and resilience, citing the opportunities in fisheries and maritime trade to the exploration of offshore resources like petroleum and gas.
To enhance Pakistan’s share in the blue economy, he added that efforts are being made under the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to modernise the fisheries and shipbreaking industry using advanced technology.
He said that the government has already removed sales tax on fisheries processing plants and fishery seeds.
Referring to the significant investment opportunities offered by the country’s ports, he said the oceans supported around 85 percent of global trade and also played a critical role in meeting the sustainable development agenda.
“As a maritime nation, Pakistan views the Arabian Sea as its fifth neighbour and a vital component of our economic and strategic paradigm,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s unique geopolitical and geographical position offers immense potential for trade with economic zones offering opportunities for coastal tourism, aquaculture, biotechnology, energy, and health.
He said that Pakistan is transforming ports into hubs of regional and international trade and efficient green transshipment as a maritime single window was operational to enhance the efficiency of ports.
He said that Pakistan is committed to working for the environmental protection in the maritime industry and sought support from the IMO to make Pakistan a hub of ship breaking industry.
Dar said that the government is taking several reformative measures such as outsourcing major airports and privatizing airlines with many investors in the pipeline for the ports industry too.
In his welcome address, Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh said Pakistan fully complies with the regulations of IMO.
He said that Pakistan's coastline spans over 11,000 kilometers, and its strategic location makes it even more significant.
“We are trying to reduce the global footprint and make maximum use of green technology,” he said, adding that measures to deal with climate change must be adopted in every institution.
The minister said that Pakistan is ensuring the protection of biodiversity and oceans while keeping in mind the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 2014. He said our maritime professionals, whose expertise is of the international standard, can be sent abroad.
The minister said Pakistan is ready to work with global organisations to promote ship making, ship recycling and blue economy.
He thanked the IMO, especially China and Norway, for extending technical support to Pakistan.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
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