MOU signed for Gwadar Shipyard project
A memorandum of understanding pertaining to the Gwadar Shipyard construction project was signed between the Balochistan and federal governments on Tuesday at the chief minister’s secretariat.
While addressing the signing ceremony, Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal said the shipyard was owned by the provincial government but is being acquired by the federal government under equity.
She along with Balochistan Chief Minister Jam Kamal said that the federal and provincial governments are working together for the socio-economic welfare of Balochistan.
“The construction of a shipyard in Gwadar has helped thousands of youth. Along with employment, the country’s economy will also benefit,” they said.
“Local people will be given priority in the shipyard while the project will be completed in five to seven years. The Balochistan Awami Party has decided to sell the province’s land on the basis of partnership,” CM Kamal said.
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The federal minister said the capacity of Gwadar Shipyard would be much greater than Karachi Shipyard which would be significant for improvement in the economy of Balochistan.
She added that the professional training of HIT would be provided to youth of Balochistan in Gwadar Institute and Karachi Shipyard to enable them to work outside the country.
“At present there is only one shipyard in Karachi while 43 in Bangladesh,” she said. “. Gwadar Shipyard is bigger than Karachi where ships will be built. This project is also of geographical importance where world class ships will come for repairs.”
CM Kamal said that joint initiatives of federal and provincial governments will usher in a new era of prosperity and economic development in the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 3rd, 2021.