Background:
Gawadar port is a warm water port and is a deep-sea port which is located on the coast of Arabian sea in Balochistan province of Pakistan. It is a part of the One Belt One Road initiative of China and it’s Maritime Silk Road project. It is also a part of Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Location:
Gawadar port is located about 533 km from the city of Karachi and about 120 km from the border of Iran. The port is situated at the inlet of Persian Gulf and is a predominant flight path of shipping to and from the Persian Gulf States. It is currently managed by a Chinese company.
Significance of the port city-Gawadar:
Pakistan recognized Gawadar as port site back in 1954, while it was still under the rule of Oman. It was done a US-based survey of Gawadar which claimed its potential for being a port city.
The proposals for a deep-sea port at Gawadar were disclosed in 1993. The first phase of the project was completed in 2007 and it was inaugurated by the ex-president General Musharraf in 2007. At that time, it was operating under the Port Singapore Authority (PSA) but due to the poor performance of PSA the port was handed over to China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC)It is the part of Maritime Silk Road which runs through the coast of China and passing through the Mediterranean meets Central Europe and North Sea.
Side by side with the development of Gawadar port, several projects have been announced to develop the city of Gawadar as well. These projects include Gawadar power generation plants, Gawadar international airport and building up of Gawadr city. Shipment, seasonal cargo and commercial cargo has been started by the port although, it is still under construction.
This port is the third largest warm water sea port of Pakistan after Karachi and Qasim ports and thus, holds great economic and commercial importance for the country. The port is a cross-junction of the international shipping and oil trade routes and is of paramount importance for the trade of the country. Three regions namely Central Asia, South Asia and Middle East are connected through this port
This port will attract huge foreign investment and can be a key for the prosperity of Balochistan, as many mineral and hydro-carbons are going to be tapped from Balochistan under the same project. Not only this, but it will generate multiplex of job opportunities in the country and particularly for the people of Balochistan. Foreign reserves, free trade zones and special economic zones (SEZ) are the gifts of this port which will lead to the economic prosperity of Pakistan.
It will also aid Pakistan in monitoring the Sea Lines of Communication which originate from the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz. It will also boost Pakistan’s cooperation with other countries in the sectors of tourism, trade, industry, energy, hotel and revenue which will strengthen the country’s economy. Asia being the largest region is surrounded by many landlocked countries and their access to sea through their own land is very costly, so they have to opt for the shortest possible route which is provided by this port.
Gwadar deep-sea port has a long list of advantages and its significance is undeniable at any cost.
Projects launched at Gawadar:
PM Imran Khan has announced many projects for Gawadar in line with the government’s efforts to of focusing on the province.
The following projects are unveiled by the Prime Minister:
- Gwadar Fertiliser Plant
- Gwadar Animal Vaccine Plant
- Henan Agricultural Industrial Park
- Hengmei Lubricants Plant
- Gwadar Free Zone Phase Two
- Gwadar Expo Centre
The MoUs which are signed are as follows:
I) Implementation of agreement of 1.2 million gallons per day desalination plant
II) Solar generators grant from China for south Balochistan
Numerous countries express their interest in Gawadar:
About seven countries which include Saudi Arabia, Kenya, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar , Oman and Egypt have expressed their intentions in the formation of long-lasting cooperation in Gawadar.
The news came after the ambassadors of the afore mentioned countries attended the same ceremony in which the PM announced the projects, in which they showed their interest in Gawadar.
Conclusion
Being the flagship project of Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (CPEC), Gawadar port is sure to play a major rule in regional and global trade.
