Right policies needed to tap transshipment potential in Pakistan

PM aide says port charges, inefficiencies major issues that need to be resolved


​ Our Correspondent May 20, 2020
A Reuters file photo.

ISLAMABAD: There is a lot of potential for transshipment in Pakistan, which can be exploited with right policies and government support, remarked Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood.

He was chairing a meeting at the Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday that discussed the transshipment potential of Pakistan.

In the meeting, a detailed overview of the transshipment sector in Pakistan and the overall general outlook of transshipment in the world was made. Discussing port operations in Pakistan, Dawood emphasised that port charges and inefficiencies resulting in more time in cargo handling were the major issues that needed to be resolved to improve operations.

He added that the government could play the role of a facilitating regulator and provide a flexible environment to boost the transshipment industry as per the available potential. Talking about the importance of the strategic location of Pakistan, the adviser stated that Gwadar Port could act as a sister port of a number of other important ports in the region, which could complement each other in transshipment activities.

Dawood stressed that Pakistan could reach its true potential of transshipment when China, Afghanistan and other Central Asian economies were connected with Gwadar Port via the land route.

Considering different policy recommendations, the adviser noted that a little value addition could be beneficial to promoting and improving the transshipment industry.

Furthermore, he asked the stakeholders to consider the recommendations and resolve the identified issues for the benefit of ports and shipping industry in Pakistan.

In the meeting, various steps for maximising Pakistan’s transshipment potential were discussed. It was highlighted that by streamlining government procedures and by implementing the TIR Convention, there could be tremendous benefits to the economy of Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2020.

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