QUETTA: With its sparkling blue waters, Gwadar is set to become a vital trading point as it connects many shipping routes hence Pakistan and China are keen to turn it into a symbol of their expanding cooperation in future.
The coming visit of the Chinese president XI Jinping next week will be an occasion when the two friendly countries are expected to give it a further fillip in boosting their economic and cultural cooperation.
"The Chinese government has declared Gwadar a crucial trade point for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which has great potential to turn Pakistan into a hub of regional cooperation and enhance its regional power, Chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA), Dostain Khan Jamaldini said.
Several projects including Gwadar Economic Free Zone, Gwadar International Airport and West Bay Expressway would change the destiny of the people of the country, he said.
Gwadar is a port city of Balochistan, located at the mouth of Persian Gulf and outside the Straits of Hormus. It is near to the key shipping routes used by the mainline vessels in the region with connections to Africa, Asia and Europe and enjoys high commercial and strategic significance.
GPA chief said that Gwadar Economic Free Zone would be the first ever social economic zone that will help reap the mammoth economic benefits for Pakistan.
GPA Chairman noted that, "We have arranged several meetings of foreign entrepreneurs with Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Quetta Chamber of Commerce to engage our business community with the foreign businessmen to reap maximum benefits.
He said many Chinese companies have agreed to sign MOUs with Balochistan's trader to improve the bilateral trade. Gwadar port is set to be handed over to Chinese company soon which has shown willingness to make it fully operational, he informed.
Gwadar Port is a gateway of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a mega project which would connect southern Pakistan to China's Northwest region of Xinjiang via highways and Railways.
The economic Corridor will run about 3000 km from Gwadar (Pakistan) to Kashghar (China) with estimated cost of $ 45 billion.
The CPEC project would serve as primary gate way for trade between China and the Middle East and Africa.
"China our time- tested friend and trade partner wanted outlets for its trade to rest of the world through Pakistan," Balochistan Minister for Planning and Development Doctor Hamid Achakzai said.
"CPEC playing its vital role in regional integration would serve as a driver for connectivity between South Asia and East Asia," he said adding China was offered several outlets to expand its trade to Afghanistan and Middle East.
"This is the era of trade as we encourage traders of Balochistan to get benefit of the Gwadar Port as economic free zone, international Airport and West Bay Expressway are shortly being inaugurated," Mr Hamid said.
Significance of Gwadar in carrying out the CPEC project increases manifold as China plans to build oil storage facility and a refinery at Gwadar, with oil transported to its Xingjiang Uighur region via road and pipelines.
This will help China move energy and goods to inland China without going through the Strait of Malacca, which could be blocked by the US or India.
"CPEC is equally important for the people of Pakistan mainly for dwellers of Gwadar," Behram Baloch, a local journalist said. "Corridor project is one of the massive uplift projects of Pakistan that will give boost to the economic growth,".
Behram said, "Some international forces don't want success of the CPEC project and all political parties should be taken on board to make the project a success".
Besides CPEC project, Chinese government also plans 21st century Maritime Silk Road, and One Belt One Road projects which would have transformative impact on Pakistan's economy and lifestyle of an ordinary man in the country.
Member of Chamber of Small Industries and commerce and President Gem and Jewelers and Merchant Association, Ramzan Dehwar called for engaging business community of Balochistan in Gwadar giving them international exposure.
"Ports are considered vital sources of economic growth in the world and we have to realize the essence of maritime economics. The connectivity which Gwadar enjoys has even not blessed to Dubai and Singapore," he said and emphasized the need to implement Master Plan of Gwadar in letter and spirit.
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