Gwadar Port: Shipping minister calls for input from local industrialists

Stresses need for efficient operations, digital scanning of containers.


Our Correspondent October 18, 2016

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo has said that the success of Chinese-administered Gwadar Port depends on the input from local industrialists who should review the planned facilities and give input for further improvements.

“The Ministry of Ports and Shipping will ensure that all required facilities are made available at the Gwadar Port for local industrialists across Pakistan,” a Karachi Chamber press release quoted Bizenjo as saying.

The business and industrial community’s inputs will be welcomed and taken up at all levels including the provincial and federal levels so that local industrialists across Pakistan could benefit from Gwadar Port, he said during his visit to KCCI.

Referring to the concerns over inactive Ports and Shipping Committee since its formation by former minister Kamran Michael, he assured immediate activation and announced a meeting to be held after October 30, 2016.

The minister also stressed the need for efficient port operations in Pakistan as it takes five to ten days or even more to get a container cleared from ports in Karachi due to manual examination and obsolete scanners.

“Such container is released within a half hour at many efficient ports around the world because of their focus on automation and availability of smart scanners. Pakistani will always lag behind in development if our port activities are slow,” he said, adding that the business community should come forward to give suggestions on improving port operations.

Referring to KCCI’s representation at Karachi Port Trust and Port Qasim Authority, Hasil Khan assured to give similar representation to Karachi Chamber on the Board of Gwadar Port as well. “Ports and shipping sector can only be strengthened with the cooperation of the business community,” he added.

Former KCCI president Siraj Kassam Teli pointed out that Karachi has been facing many issues mainly due to federal government’s constant neglect whereas the business and industrial community was also suffering because of discriminatory taxation system.

He urged the FBR to devise a system to analyse city-wise revenue contribution which will obviously defy all claims being made by individuals who usually refuse to accept Karachi’s contribution.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2016.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

 

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ