Dawood for outsourcing Pakistan's airport activities

Highlights interest shown by global investors in Pakistani airports

ISLAMABAD: There is immense potential for airport-related commercial activities in Pakistan that can be exploited by bringing knowledge and experience from major international experts in the aviation industry, remarked Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood.

Chairing a meeting of the Committee on Outsourcing of Major Airports of Pakistan on Thursday, the adviser deliberated the importance of outsourcing commercial operations of Pakistani airports.

“The gap in non-aeronautical activities at major airports of Pakistan such as duty-free shops, restaurants and commercial outlets can be efficiently filled by such expertise, which will also lift our airports to bring them on a par with leading global airports,” Dawood stressed.

He apprised meeting participants of the interest being shown by different global investors in Pakistani airports.

He emphasised that best international practices would be ensured in the overall operation and management of various activities by attracting international investors and generating overall goodwill of Pakistan among different stakeholders in the global aviation industry.

Underlining the significance of enhancing foreign investment, Dawood added that it always acted as a catalyst to socio-economic development in the country as it created thousands of jobs.

The adviser was of the view that such a move would restore confidence of the private sector of Pakistan which would, in turn, enhance investment in airport-related activities. The committee discussed in detail two aspects of airport operations, namely regulation by the Civil Aviation Authority and the commercial part of operations.

Various options along with the associated legal aspects were discussed in a comprehensive manner keeping in view the segregation of regulatory and commercial sides.

Representatives of the Privatisation Commission were also consulted in the meeting about available options for the outsourcing of airport operations. After thorough deliberations, the committee decided to meet again after one week to finalise proposals for the cabinet. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2020.

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