New Partnership Aims to Turn Gwadar into a Thriving Trade and Industrial Hub Under CPEC Vision
Karachi: In a move set to accelerate economic activity in Pakistan’s southwestern region, the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) has signed a letter of intent with China’s Xinning Enterprise to fast-track the development of the Gwadar Free Zone. This collaboration is geared toward attracting industrial and commercial investment and enhancing Gwadar’s role as a strategic trade and transshipment hub.
The letter was received by Umer Zaffar Shaikh, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, on behalf of the GPA, while Yi Jiang signed on behalf of Xinning. Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noorul Haq Baloch also attended the signing ceremony via video link.
The partnership focuses on relocating industries to Gwadar, optimizing infrastructure, and boosting commercial operations within the Free Zone. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry lauded the initiative, stating that Xinning’s involvement will strengthen port functionality and foreign investment.
He assured that all developments will comply with Pakistan’s legal framework and highlighted the strategic importance of Gwadar in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
This agreement underscores Gwadar’s growing relevance in regional trade and signals a significant step in Pakistan’s long-term maritime and economic development strategy.