Maritime minister woos Chinese firms

Pakistan has invited Chinese investors to expand investment in its ports, logistics and maritime sectors, with the government committing to transform the country into a regional transit trade, logistics and industrial hub, according to a statement on Tuesday.

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry made the pitch at the Regional Transit Trade Hub Initiative in Beijing, organised by Jiang Tonland International Holdings.

Chaudhry said Pakistan and China share an "All-Weather Strategic Partnership" entering a new phase centred on connectivity, trade facilitation, logistics, industrial development and sustainable economic growth.

The minister said the global trading system was being reshaped by digitalisation, smart logistics, resilient supply chains, green shipping and multimodal transport, making regional partnerships and innovation increasingly important.

Chaudhry described Gwadar Port as a flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and said it offered investment opportunities in port operations, logistics, warehousing, free zone development and maritime industries.

He said maritime institutions, including the Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, Gwadar Port Authority and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, were implementing reforms to develop the country into a modern maritime, logistics and industrial hub serving regional markets.