Pakistani ports could play an important role to enhance and economise the trade with West and the Central Asian Republics (CARs).
These views were shared by the Chairman of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) at the Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2006 held at Dubai World Trade Centre from 4 to 6 December under the patronage of his highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai.
In a statement issued here on Monday, the event was hosted to honour the ports and shipping industries' performance under the banner of Dubai International Maritime Awards.
He highlighted on how dynamics of the region are changing with new developments at regional ports and that new vista of opportunity, marketability and expansion have opened up with global focus.
He said, Pakistan has three ports, two at Karachi and one at Gwadar, and the facilities that the two ports of Karachi could be upgraded further to meet the country's needs, he added.
During the event, about 5,000 delegates and visitors belonging to ship owners, trading companies and charterers, ship builders, brokers, ports, ship agents, suppliers, travel agents, insurers and lawyers participated in the event. On behalf of Pakistan and the KPT the Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Babar Khan Ghauri received the award from the Managing Director of Seatrade Middle East Maritime 2006, Chris Hayman.
The KPT was awarded the runners up shield for showing excellent cargo handling performance during the period 2005-06.
Later on, the ceremony concluded with the best performance awards where Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Babar Khan Ghauri received the award along with Chairman KPT Vice Admiral Ahmad Hayat from Chris Hayman.-PR