Federal Secretary for Maritime Affairs chairs First High-Level Meeting of Committee for facilitation of cross stuffing for Afghan transit trade
A high-level meeting was convened by the Honorable Federal Secretary for Maritime Affair, Mr. Mathar Niaz Rana to examine the proposal for permission of cross stuffing for Afghan transit trade containers at Gwadar Port as pilot project in Ministry of Maritime Affairs today.
The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary for Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director General Transit FBR/Customs, Chairman Gwadar Port, Joint Secretary for Maritime Affairs, Deputy Secretary for Maritime Affairs, DG Operations GPA, and a representative from China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHCL).
The meeting agreed to immediately start working for cross-stuffing at Gwadar Port. On directions of the Prime Minister, FBR will visit and inspect the development facility at Gwadar Port for cross stuffing of containers and also would convened the date for the inauguration of cross stuffing.
The Committee for the facilitation of cross stuffing was constituted on the directions of the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan with the purpose to resolve issues and hurdles in the projects related to Gwadar.
The Federal Secretary for Maritime Affairs welcomed the participants and highlighted that Projects in Gwadar are key driver for overall economic development of the country. As, it provides a cost-effective route for the flow of Central Asia’s natural resources to the world along with an easy access to the growing consumer markets of Asia.
The participants stressed on increasing the incentives for Gwadar Port for the provision of cross stuffing facility as early as possible. As it will help enhancing trade with Afghanistan and the Central Asian Republics (CARs).
During the meeting, the representative of COPHCL highlighted the success of the pilot project for transit of cargo to Afghanistan and also apprised that the volume of cargo at this stage is encouraging but there exists the need for facilitation and provision of further incentives to make Gwadar Port a success.
The Federal Secretary highlighted that Gwadar Port is not only for transshipment but it has sufficient storage capacity with considerable back-up area. Hence, in line with the vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs is putting special effort to make it a success.
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