Gwadar - A Jewel in the Crown

[UnitedPak]

Govt to provide land for ancillary port facilities at Gwadar

Govt to provide land for ancillary port facilities at Gwadar

By Ijaz Kakakhel

ISLAMABAD: The government is planning to acquire 78 acres of land adjacent to the Gwadar Port for provision of ancillary port facilities, like container parks, banks stevedore and clearing services, offices, workshops, storage yards and others, sources in the ministry of Ports and Shipping told Daily Times here on Monday.

These facilities would help in swift port operations and to meet the future requirements of the Gwadar Port users. The structures and facilities of the newly completed port have already been outsourced to Port of Singapore Authority International (PSAI) and according to ‘Concession Agreement’ already executed with them, the ‘Concession Area’, which encompasses the entire developed and non-developed area of the port was to be handed over to the PSAI. In such situation, the sources said that it would become difficult for the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) to plan and conduct any activities of its own, which were essentially required for any Port Overseeing Authority and also to fulfill its commitments.

For addressing these issues, the GPA submitted a proposal for the acquisition of 100 acres of additional land at Mullabund Area in the second meeting of Gwadar Coordination and Implementation Committee (CIC) held last year. This scheme would cost the government Rs 490 million for which an allocation of Rs 12.732 million had been made in the MTDF for Ministry of Ports and Shipping under Transport Development Sector, the sources maintained. However, for this project the federal government has made no allocation in the Public Sector Development Programme.

The government is determined to make Gwadar an investment-friendly nucleus and a regional hub for economic activities. Efforts are already made on fast track process for providing necessary infrastructure for future development activities.

The Gwadar Port could handle ships of up to 50,000 deadweight tonnes through its three berths and after completion Gwadar Port would became the busiest port of the region, equipped with warehousing, trans-shipment and industrial facilities. Gwadar Port is located 460 km, away from Karachi, so, making itself less vulnerable for Indian blockade, which Pakistan faced in 1971 and was threatened in 1999.

Once a small fishing town along the Makran Coast would now become a mega seaport, which would fulfill the requirement of three geographically important regions, the entire subcontinent, West China, central Asia States, and Afghanistan, the sources maintained.

The operation and management of the port was handed over to the Singapore Port Authority (SPA) under a 40-year agreement between the GPA and the Concession Holding Company (CHC) - a subsidiary of the SPA that was operating 22 ports in 11 countries.

The port would not only promote trade and transport with Gulf States, but would also provide tans-shipment of containerised cargo, unlock the development potential of hinterland and would become a regional hub for major trade and commercial activities.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[Neo]

Gwadar, Pasni prone to tsunami, says expert​

QUETTA, Nov 6: The provincial capital and several other parts of Balochistan may face severe earthquakes because they lie on faultlines, while Gwadar and Pasni are prone to tsunami, says an expert.

The Director-General of the Geological Survey of Pakistan, Dr Imran Khan, told Dawn on Thursday that the Chaman faultline, which originated in the Arabian Sea, was the most important in the province.

He said a tsunami had destroyed Pasni in 1945.

He said more than 1,000 aftershocks had been recorded in Quetta and Ziarat after the recent earthquake and their intensity was decreasing, but they could prove dangerous for buildings damaged in the quake. “Release of energy below the surface of the earth in the shape of aftershocks is a good sign.”

In reply to a question, he said the epicentre of the earthquake was near Khanozai, in Pishin district, and it had affected Quetta and northern and central parts of the province.

The existing building code should be strictly implemented in Quetta and other areas to minimise damage from future quakes, the GSP chief said.

AFTERSHOCKS: The meteorological department said the intensity of the aftershocks that jolted Quetta, Ziarat and other areas on Thursday ranged between 3.1 and 5.4 on the Richter scale. “Aftershocks of a magnitude up to six cannot be ruled out,” Regional Computer Processing Centre Director Saifullah Shami said. He said the epicentre of the most powerful aftershock measuring 6.2 was in Gogai area of Ziarat.

He said a quake of 4.4 magnitude recorded on Oct 30 had originated in the sea near Pasni.

 

[Neo]

EMC calls for utilisation of Gwadar Port for imports, exports​

ISLAMABAD: Economic Monitoring Committee (EMC) here on Monday asked the Ministry of Ports and Shipping for better utilisation of the Gwadar Port for the transportation of imports and exports of the country.

The EMC, which met under the chairmanship of Mr Shaukat Tarin, Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance, while reviewing the cement exports situation directed the Ministry of Ports and Shipping to remove all the bottlenecks being faced by exporters. EMC also advised the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to act as an equalizer in judicious distribution of wheat stocks to the provinces.

The EMC was informed that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has currently a balance stock of 3.25 million tonnes wheat while another 455,000 tonnes of imported wheat had already landed to supplement the balance stocks. The EMC advised the Ministries of Food, Agriculture and Commerce to ensure that the deficient areas be actively targeted to facilitate the common man.

Adviser to the PM on Finance directed the concerned Ministries to ensure that in future sufficient stocks are procured and distribution system is duly streamlined to meet any emergent situation. He directed that the people should get quality flour for their consumption.

The EMC was informed that the overall situation of prices of the food items remained stable during the last week and would further improve through an equitable distribution of these commodities.

Deliberating upon the demand and supply of urea in the country, the EMC was of the view that the middleman and dealer were profiteering and if required the distribution of urea to the farmers could be entrusted to alternate means of distribution. The EMC called for immediate action to refurbish the urea stocks as any shortfall in the availability of urea to the farmers could be harmful for the next crop.

On a point raised by Utility Store Corporation, the Adviser to the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Finance to respond to the USC’s claims positively and help them out of their economic problems.

 

[Neo]

Region's biggest oil refinery to be built near Gwadar: minister​

KARACHI (November 17 2008): The people's government is committed to complete the Gwadar deep water port project making the strategic Mekran region the pearl trade and energy corridor for the entire region catering the bulk needs of the landlocked Central Asian countries.

The Minister of State for Ports and Shipping, Nabil Ahmed Gabol, said in a statement on Sunday that the biggest oil refinery and biggest oil storage facility of the region would be constructed near Gwadar besides making the port city of Balochistan the route of the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project. He hoped that work on the Iran gas pipeline would start soon, after sorting out some of the pending issues.

The minister said that both President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani would visit Gwadar soon for reviewing all development projects on the spot and issue fresh instructions guiding the officials how to proceed to make Gwadar the real hub of economic activities.

He said that the government would develop Gwadar region the biggest corridor for energy and trade catering the need of the landlocked countries of Central Asia.

Gabol pledged to develop the entire coastal belt from Karachi to Jiwani catering the basic needs of the people who were denied livelihood for the past many decades.

He said that the PPP government would fulfil all its promises and pledges with regard to the Gwadar port and President Zardari had already spelled out government policies on future of Gwadar port when he addressed the Baloch intellectuals at President House earlier last month. He pledged to defend the legitimate interests of the Baloch people in Gwadar conceding their demand for right of control over their resources.

The minister assured the fishermen and other segments of the civil society on the Mekran coast that the government was committed to develop the entire coastal region for the benefit of the indigenous people of Balochistan residing in the coastal region.

Regarding making Gwadar port operational, he said that the government would divert cargo from Karachi port and Port Qasim to make it sustainable giving an incentive to the Singapore Port Authority to implement the second phase of the Port development at Gwadar.

The minister dispelled the impression that the PPP government at the centre or in Balochistan would continue the discriminatory policies of the Musharraf regime, and said that there would be a marked deviation from the old policies and making plans beneficial for the indigenous people only, preferably the local fishermen, including preserving their fishing grounds and barring illegal fishing.

He hoped that both the federal and the provincial governments would join hands in defending the legitimate interests of local fishermen first and later on the people residing in the surrounding human settlements of the Mekran and Lasbela coast.-PR

 

[niaz]

Regret to say that our politician are either given to day dreaming or are totally ignorant of the facts when they use adjectives such as best, biggest etc when making grandiose claims.

Until 1970’s largest refinery in the world and also the region was Ababan Oil Refnery. This was on 30-million ton capacity or 600,000 barrels per day. It was destroyed in the war and now running at around 400,000 barrels per day.

Since the late 1990’ the largest and most sophisticated refinery in the world is Reliance refinery at Jamnagar which is also of 600,000 barrels per day capacity (33-million tons p.a). The refinery is being doubled with additional investment outlay of IR 490-billion ($9-billion). The total refinery capacity would be 1.2-million barrels per day or about 65-million tons per annum. (Reliance use heavy crude so conversion from barrels into ton is slightly higher)

Any refinery of about 10-million tons is considered a good size refinery. To put in perspective; Pakistan refinery at Karachi is 2-million tons and the largest Pakistani refinery ( PARCO) is only 4.5-million ton capacity or 100, 000 barrels per day. Most large US and Arab Gulf export refineries are of the capacity in the 10-15 million ton range.

The proposed refinery at Gwadar to be the biggest in the region; it would have to exceed the Reliance capacity at Jamnagar and would require at least $20-billion investment. IMO the honorable minister is out of his depth and just trying to boost morale.

I am sorry to be pessimistic but as a nation we have to be realistic in our aims.

 

[Neo]

Gwadar Port declared tax free zone for 20 years​

ISLAMABAD: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raeesani has declared Gwadar deep sea port a tax free zone for the next 20 years under the Gwadar Master Plan. Talking to a private television channel on Sunday, the chief minister said the decision had been taken after a meeting with Federal Industries Minister Manzoor Wattoo. Raeesani said no tax would be levied on the import of construction materials in Gwadar to expedite economic activities in the area. He said a majority of the local residents would be given jobs in the seaport. Earlier, Wattoo told the meeting that Gwadar port would be converted into an export-processing zone.

 

[UnitedPak]

Pak - Kirghiz Friendship Group to be created in Senate soon: Jamali

ISLAMABAD, Dec 1 (APP): Acting Chairman Senate, Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali on Monday said that a Pak‑Kirghiz Friendship Group will be created in the Senate soon.
He said this while talking to the Ambassador of Kirghiz Republic to Pakistan Bakhytbek Shabarbayev, who called on him at the Parliament House today.
The Acting Chairman said Pakistan and the Central Asian Republics are bound together by centuries old ties of history, culture and religion and these would go from strength to strength in the days to come.
He said that he would play his role in creation of the friendship group, which would be joined by Senators who frequent these Republics. He also underlined the need to further consolidating the economic, business

and trade relations with the Kirghiz Republic adding that a lot of scope exists for widening and expanding these relations. He also called for more Parliamentary exchanges to the mutual advantages of both the countries.

The Ambassador evinced a keen interest in availing of the facilities being offered by the Gwadar Port. He said that Gwadar is the closest sea port to Central Asia and it offers immense possibilities for movement of goods and services.
He expressed his Government’s keen desire to buy land in the special zone in Gwadar. He also pointed out that the country could help Pakistan overcome its power crisis by importing electricity from the Kirghiz Republic.
The Acting Chairman Senate thanked the Ambassador for the offer. He said that the Government is presently busy in completing the link roads and other auxiliary facilities for making the Gwadar Port fully operational.
He said that it is destined to become the regional hub and could easily serve the countries of the region. The Ambassador also requested the Acting Chairman to examine the possibility of extending the NLC truck service to the Central Asian Republics for facilitating bilateral trade.

He also disclosed that there are about 400 Pakistani students presently studying medicine and engineering in the Kirghiz Republic.

Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Pak-Kirghiz Friendship Group to be created in Senate soon: Jamali

 

[Chanakya.10]

Kirghiz Republic

Where is that???? Any country???

Man my general knowledge is getting low day by day........

 

[UnitedPak]

Where is that???? Any country???

Man my general knowledge is getting low day by day........

Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyz Republic
Кыргыз Республикасы
Kyrgyz Respublikasi
Кыргызская Республика
Kyrgyzskaya Respublika

 

[Neo]

Govt may approve Gwadar as free economic zone​

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to present a proposal of making Gwadar Port as free economic zone in the next cabinet meeting.

It would encourage business activities and attract large investments. In this regard the Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani and Minister for Industries and Productions, Mian Manzoor Ahmed wattoo presented their recommendations regarding making Gawadar Port a duty free area to encourage business activities and attract large investments. The PM said that these recommendations would be placed before the cabinet in its next meeting for approval. He asked Mian Manzoor Wattoo to coordinate with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Ministry of Finance and Commerce in this regard. The Prime Minister appreciated wattoo’s efforts to bring Balochistan at par with other provinces of the country economically and socially. CM Balochistan and Minister for Industries and Productions suggested during the meeting that next cabinet meeting should be held in Gwadar to promote more national feelings. Provincial Minister for Finance Asim Kurd, Chief Secretary Balochistan and other senior government official were also present during the meeting.

 

[khanz]

lol i had never heard of krygyztan until now

 

[Neo]

Gwadar Port to handle cement exports​

ISLAMABAD, Dec 2: The government has decided to carryout cement export activities in future from the Gwadar Port, while some part of wheat and fertiliser imports will also be shifted to the port.

This was stated by Minister for Industries and Production Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo while talking to the Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani, who called on him here on Tuesday.

Watoo observed that the shifting of some exports and imports to this port would enhance trade and business activities in the Balochistan province, besides creation of jobs for the local people.

He said the federal government has prepared various plans for the development of the province, including supply of clean drinking water, development of precious stones industry, setting up an export processing zone, opening of utility stores and introducing tax holiday scheme for the Gwadar Port.

He disclosed that the ministry of industries and production was spending 80 per cent of its development budget in Balochistan. He assured the chief minister that the Gwadar Port would be transformed into a modern seaport of the world as its location is very attractive for cargo movement to and from the UAE, China and the Middle East.

Mr Wattoo disclosed that he had requested the prime minister that the next cabinet meeting should be held at the Gwadar Port as this will provide an opportunity to the cabinet members to share their ideas about the potential of the port.

The Balochistan chief minister discussed matters related to various development plans initiated by the federal government, especially the ministry of industries in the province. He urged the federal government to expedite trade activities at the Gwadar Port and shift bulk cargo handling there as it is fully capable of doing the job.

He said the people and the government of Balochistan were grateful to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for his interest in the development of the province and assured his full cooperation to the federal government in carrying out development projects in the area.

Later, Mr Wattoo and Mr Raisani visited the office of the PM adviser on Finance and discussed with him ways and means to give a tax-free-zone status to the Gwadar Port.

 

[UnitedPak]

Four ships carrying urea to berth at Gwadar Port

Thursday, December 04, 2008
By our correspondent

KARACHI: The government is keen to make functional the Gwadar Port. In this regard government has formulated a plan to import wheat and fertilizers and export cement from Gwadar Port.

Gwadar Port would receive four ships carrying urea imported from Ukraine.

Trading Corporation of Pakistan is importing fertilizers from Ukraine.

The four ships carrying urea will reach Gwadar Port this month. The first ship MV Eastern carrying 20,000 tonnes of fertilizers will reach Gwadar from Ukraine on December 13, The News has learnt.

Another Ship MV BARRA containing 30,000 tonnes of urea fertilizers will reach Gwadar Port on December 20.

Two more ships MV Moon 1 and MV Virginia will be arriving at Gwadar Port on December 22 and on December 24 containing 24,000 tonnes and 30,000 tonnes respectively. Government has said that special facilities will be provided to the transporters who will take part in shipment operation of the fertiliser from Gwadar to across the country.

The government has decided to use Gwadar as export point for cement so that the transporters do not have to go all the way to Gwadar with empty trucks, which would add to their overhead expenses

From Gwadar imports will be transported to the other parts of the country and government in this regard has taken the decision that cement will be exported from Gwadar Port not only to operate Gwadar Port but also to facilitate transporters so that the do not take their empty trucks to Gwadar for loading imports. Government has assured that full support and cooperation will be given to the transporters.

It is expected that the Minister of State for Ports and Shipping Sardar Nabeel Gabol will welcome the first ship, which will arrive at Gawadar Port.

Four ships carrying urea to berth at Gwadar Port

 

[UnitedPak]

Trans-shipment for CARs offered at Gwadar Port

Thursday, December 04, 2008
By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has offered separate terminals at Gwadar port to capture the transit trade of the Central Asian Republics (CARs) and other regional countries, said Nabeel Gabol, Minister for Ports & Shipping on Wednesday.

The minister in a statement issued here stated that Pakistan is ready to provide a separate terminal to Kyrghiz republic and would welcome all the neighboring states of the CAR’s to use the port as transshipment trade of the region.

“Gwadar port will give impetus to the economic growth of the whole region, especially the south and central Asian region,” the minister hoped while talking to Nurlar Aitmurzaev, Ambassador of Republic of Kyrghistan, who called on him here in his office in Islamabad.

The ambassador said that Kyrghistan is interested in availing the facility of Gwadar port and also in having a terminal there. Gwadar port is the closest to CAR’S and it could change the destiny of the people of the entire region.

He said that there is a need for strengthening the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO), of which, both counties are active members.

Trans-shipment for CARs offered at Gwadar Port


Looks like Central Asian countries will be choosing Gwadar over Irans Chahbar port.

 

[Neo]

Lack of infrastructure impeding Gwadar Port’s functioning ​

Saturday, December 06, 2008

ISLAMABAD: Lack of complete road connectivity at certain points, absence of will on the part of some federal authorities and strong opposition from the “Karachi lobby” are principal stumbling blocks in the way of making the Gwadar port operational, official sources revealed on Friday.

“There has not been much movement forward on making flawless road link between Gwadar and Ratodero in Sindh and completing its connectivity with some parts of Balochistan,” a senior official told The News.

He admitted that Karachi Port and Port Qasim were too overburdened to take the entire load. The result, he said, was that not only some government departments but also private importers and exporters had to pay a sizeable demurrage every year. For example, the source added, the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) had to shell out $1.8 million in demurrage last year. Another official said the incumbent Balochistan chief minister had urged the federal government to do away with the obstacles to operationalisation of the Gwadar port so that the province could get its benefits.

The official said the present road infrastructure starting from Gwadar port was not in a position to bear the brunt of heavy trucks laden with goods. He observed if trucks did not carry goods up to their capacity, it would not be a viable proposition for them, considering the expenses incurred on transportation.

But Port and Shipping official told the correspondent that ‘Karachi lobby’ within the bureaucracy and the business community was poised to confine imports and exports through Karachi, arguing it was not feasible for businessmen to foot the hefty bill of transportation from Gwadar.

Last week, the government announced it would start huge exports and imports of commodities like wheat, fertilisers and cement through port. But informed officials did not see the announcement being translated into reality in the near future.

One source said there was no reluctance on the part of Port of Singapore Authority International (PSAI), selected as the operator of the Gwadar port, to undertake the job. “There is no doubt that PSAI is ready to operate, but the government needs to do what it is required to do so that the Singaporean company starts its work.”

The PSAI is to invest $4 billion in phase two and three to complete new berths while the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) executed the first phase. The PSAI is a global leader in the port and terminus business and operates 20 port projects in 11 countries, including Singapore, Belgium, Brunei, China, India, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Korea and Thailand.

Kyrgyzstan Ambassador to Pakistan Nurlar Aitmurzaev, in a recent meeting with Ports & Shipping Minister Nabeel Gabool, said that his country was interested in availing the Gwadar port facility as well as having a terminal there. The Gwadar port is the closest to Central Asian Republics (CARs).

Officials conceded Pakistan had suffered losses of billions of dollars due to the delay in making the Gwadar port operational. The project faced an inordinate delay for a variety of reasons. One of the reasons was the late execution of some projects by Pakistani contractors.

The Gwadar port is the third deep seaport in Pakistan after Karachi and Port Qasim. As compared to the Karachi Port and Port Qasim, which operate on a royalty basis, the selection of PSAI for Gwadar is on the basis of a gross revenue-sharing formula.