Chinese firm gets land for free trade zone in Gwadar

Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik said the Gwadar Port and the CPEC will benefit the local people

GWADAR: The Balochistan government on Wednesday handed over 650 acres of land to a Chinese company for building and operating the Free Trade Area at Gwadar’s deep-sea port.

The landmark agreement was jointly signed by Gwadar Port Authority Director-General Mir Dosteen Jamaldini, Gwadar Deputy Commissioner Abdul Hameed Abro and a Chinese official.

Addressing the gathering, Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik said the Gwadar Port and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will benefit the local people. “The CPEC will have a deep impact on the local economy,” he said.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the road links will be developed within the country and also connected with China and other Central Asian states.

China’s Planning Commission Vice-Chairman Wang Xaltao said his country would also develop the social sector in Gwadar and its surrounding besides economic development of the port and its related Free Trade Area.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2015.