First Chinese trade convoy arrives in Gwadar through CPEC

The goods would be exported through the port to Middle East and African countries

QUETTA: The first trade convoy carrying goods for export through the western route of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and a Chinese ship arrived at Gwadar Port on Friday.

The convoy, comprising 60 containers, started its journey to Pakistan from Kashgar through western route and arrived in Quetta in the first phase and later departed for Gwadar. The second trade convoy comprising over 100 containers is set to arrive in Gwadar on Saturday.

According to official sources, while one Chinese ship has been anchored at Gwadar Port, another is expected to reach on Saturday. The goods would be exported through Gwadar port to Middle East and African countries.



To commemorate the occasion, a ceremony is to be held at Gwadar Port on November 13. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Army chief General Raheel Sharif, Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and ambassadors of 15 countries are set to attend the opening ceremony of sending the export goods to different countries.

On Friday, a large number of people participated in a rally organised by Gwadar Yakjehti Council in the port city. The participants marched on different roads of Gwadar carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans welcoming the trade.

The rally culminated at Gwadar Press Club where the speakers said that the CPEC project would prove a game changer for Balochistan and especially bring development and prosperity for the people of Makran. They hoped that the project would remove a sense of deprivation from the people of Balochistan.



The speakers also paid tributes to Pakistan Army and said that the armed forces played vital role in making the mega project possible.

Earlier on October 31, hundreds of Chinese trucks loaded with goods rolled into the Sost dry port in Gilgit-Baltistan as a multibillion-dollar project between Pakistan and China formally became operational.

The corridor is about 3,000-kilometre long consisting of highways, railways and pipelines that will connect China’s Xinjiang province to the rest of the world through Gwadar port.