Govt to encourage private sector to use Gwadar Port

The cabinet has endorsed a suggestion that calls for gradually involving the private sector in import and export of commodities through Gwadar Port.

In a recent meeting, the cabinet also decided that the government would shift 60% of public sector imports and exports from Karachi Port to Gwadar Port to make the latter a fully functional facility.

It took the decision while considering a proposal for 50% import of goods by the public sector from the deep-sea Gwadar Port.

Sources said that it was decided that at least 60% of all public sector imports of wheat, fertiliser and sugar would be made through Gwadar Port. In addition to these, other commodities procured by public sector entities from overseas markets will also be identified for import through Gwadar Port.

Meeting participants agreed that all the public sector entities engaged in the export of goods would make arrangements to route at least 60% of shipments through Gwadar Port.

The cabinet constituted a committee comprising the minister for commerce, minister for maritime affairs, commerce secretary, maritime affairs secretary, railways secretary, Federal Board of Revenue chairman, National Highway Authority chairman and Public Procurement Regulatory Authority managing director.

The committee will ensure that 60% of public sector imports of wheat, fertiliser and sugar are made through Gwadar Port.

It will review the annual procurement plans of public sector entities, including autonomous bodies, to identify those commodities that can be imported through Gwadar Port (in addition to wheat, fertiliser and sugar).

Furthermore, the committee will review the export plans of public sector entities to identify the commodities that can be exported through Gwadar Port and to ensure that at least 60% of the identified commodities are exported through the port.

It will identify the road and rail infrastructure that can be utilised for transporting goods to and from Gwadar Port and will identify the road and rail links that need to be repaired as well as new alignments that should be constructed.

The committee will identify the commodities that can be imported and exported by the private sector through Gwadar and will formulate an incentive package, if required, to encourage the private sector.

It will review the existing security arrangements along the identified routes for transporting goods to and from Gwadar and will ensure adequate security provision.

The committee will meet at least once a month and submit its report to the cabinet at the end of every quarter of a calendar year. During discussion, it was stated that the rationale behind making Gwadar Port functional was not only to provide another option besides Karachi Port and Port Qasim but also to promote development in the region.