I am delighted to know that the first Gwadar Expo-2018 is being organized at Gwadar Port on 29-30 January 2018, which also includes inauguration of Gwadar Port Free Zone. I would like to recall that on September 1, 2016 when Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif performed the ground-breaking ceremony of Gwadar Port Free Zone, it was a piece of land with no infrastructure on the ground.
However, within a span of a little over one year people can now see for themselves a sprawling pre-fab settlement accommodating a large number of Chinese and Pakistani engineers, workers and auxiliary staff beside facilities such as administration blocks, machinery maintenance / overhauling areas, play and entertainment areas and banks and insurance branches etc.
On the other hand M/s China Overseas Ports Holding Company Ltd (COPHCL) - the Concession Holder - has been doing a wonderful job in recovering port's assets back to original shapes that had been corroded and become redundant due to lack of care and proper maintenance.
Credit equally goes to the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) and COPHCL in working closely and harmoniously in materializing the Port and Free Zone Master Plan. With the opening of the Pilot Phase of the Free Zone through this Mega Event, a new era of trade, business and socio-economic activities would usher in, leading to massive scale economic uplift in the country in general and in the region in particular.
On behalf of the Government of Pakistan and on my behalf I would like to extend may heartiest greetings to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs; the National Development and Reform Commission of the People's Republic of China, GPA/COPHCL and the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Islamabad for their close cooperation and earnest efforts in organizing this very important event at Gwadar, which is the "Key to Global Opportunities". KEY TO GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES