A subcommittee of the Senate Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs reviewed various issues pertaining to Gwadar Port and its investors in its meeting held here at the Parliament House on Tuesday. It was disclosed that the port has been opened for transit trade and the first ship is due next Tuesday.
Regarding the transit trade and transshipment, the committee was informed that the Afghan Trade Transit Module requires some changes that have been applied and after initial testing, it is ready for application.
However, the officials were optimistic that Gwadar's main competitors would be Singapore and Dubai ports, since incentives such as no cargo demurrage charges and three months storage facility would surely divert business to Gwadar. Concerning storage facilities for fish processing within or outside the port, the committee was assured that the Chinese companies would not be charged extra taxes.
Probing the matter of internet connectivity and quotation of Rs 14 million issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) for works relating to optic fiber connections and installation, the committee was informed that the PTCL has now agreed for the said setup.
The matter is being handled by the PTCL and the COPHC. The committee was of the view that distance from the gate to the pole is maximum 3 km as opposed to 6.4 km that had been quoted. Charges are, therefore, exaggerated. The committee was informed that right of way charges would apply and local administration would have to be consulted for this.
Regarding WeBOC system installation, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) was of the view that fiber optics connection would expedite work, which is much faster as compared to the currently available radio connection.
While discussing the legal framework /rules/regulations pertaining to fish dumping and reprocessing facilities at Gwadar Port to local/foreign investors and the Chinese companies, Convener Senator Kauda Babar was of the view that a resolution must be passed to employ local population for jobs at the facility.
The committee was informed that the issues such as absence of monitoring and controlling services have created huge hurdles. The committee directed that all efforts must be made to pursue and resolve this issue at the earliest. The committee recommended that trawling and policing issues must be discussed in detail and a uniform mechanism be formulated for all provinces.
Reviewing Eastbay Expressway Project at Gwadar, the committee was informed that a revised PC-1 is being submitted to the ECNEC for approval.
Convened by Senator Kauda Babar, the meeting was attended by Senator Moula Bux Chandio, Senator Muhammad Akram and senior officers from the ministries of maritime affairs, information technology and telecommunications, Gwadar Port Authority, FBR, PTCL along with all the concerned.
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