Gwadar must get all facilities for competitive edge in region: minister

Bakhtiar also emphasises on ensuring safety, security of port city

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar on Thursday stressed the need for providing maximum facilities to Gwadar for ensuring its competitive edge in the region.

Presiding over a meeting of the steering committee on Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan, the minister emphasised the need to determine the comparative incentives which can be given to Gwadar, said a press release.



Planning, Development and Reform Secretary Zafar Hasan, CPEC Project Director, Hassan Daud and officials from the Balochistan government, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Gwadar Development Authority, Gwadar Port Authority, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Climate Change, Board of Investment and Chinese companies attended the meeting.

The minister also emphasised on ensuring safety and security of the port city.

"To harness the potential of Gwadar as a transshipment hub, the government will provide a secure and conducive environment," he said.



The minister was briefed on the progress of Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan.

He underscored the need for fulfilling water and energy needs for industrial and urban development.

He said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor growth projections and investment is built upon the successful development of Gwadar as the port city is a focal point for the corridor to take off.