CPIC have put together a detailed synopsis of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s historic visit to Gwadar on the 5th of July 2021. Key takeaways and investments announced have been summarised in a bitesize format.
The high powered delegation arriving in Gwadar included, Chairman CPEC Lt Gen (R) Asim Bajwa, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal, Minister for Planning & Development Asad Umar, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong, , Ambassadors of the UAE and Saudi Arabia alongside CEO’s of leading Chinese conglomerates.
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday performed the groundbreaking of phase two of the Gwadar Free Zone (GFZ) and launched a number of other development and infrastructure projects including an expo centre, agriculture industrial park and three factories.
During a single-day visit to Gwadar, the premier also inaugurated phase one of the GFZ, reviewed the progress on various development projects, and witnessed the signing of a number of memorandums of understanding (MoUs).
He was given a detailed briefing on the progress of the south Balochistan development package in line with the government’s efforts of focusing on the province.
Projects unveiled:
1. Gwadar Fertiliser Plant
2. Gwadar Animal Vaccine Plant
3. Henan Agricultural Industrial Park
4. Hengmei Lubricants Plant
5. Gwadar Free Zone Phase Two
6. Gwadar Expo Centre
MoUs signed:
1. Implementation agreement of 1.2 million gallons per day desalination plant
2. Solar generators grant from China for south Balochistan
Key highlights from Imran Khan’s speech:
– Gwadar will open up new channels for regional trade.
– To stimulate industrialisation, government is focusing on guaranteeing the supply of basic facilities in Gwadar and Balochistan, notably clean water and power.
– The federal government’s recent announcement of a Rs 730 billion development budget for Balochistan is historic, as it intended to raise the province and alleviate the region’s long-standing hardship.
– Gwadar International Airport would increase regional trade and economic activities.
– Imran Khan expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for initiating water and solar projects in Balochistan, notably in Gwadar.
– A university, employment under the Kamyab Jawan Program, and upgrading the equipment of local fishermen to guarantee value addition of their harvest were among the efforts listed by the prime minister for the uplifting of Gwadar.
– On a monthly basis, the Prime Minister’s Office will monitor the progress of the Gwadar development plans.
Key highlights from Jam Kamal Khan’s speech:
– Provincial government had been collaborating with the CPEC Authority to resolve the issues of customs.
– Extension of Gwadar Hospital up to 200 beds
– Construction of the first university in Gwadar
– Border markets and uplift of villages are on the cards.
Key highlights from Non Rong’s speech:
– Cooperation between the governments of Pakistan and China had led several projects to see the light of the day.
– Over the past eight years, the two countries accelerated their pace on several projects related to civic amenities, particularly clean water and solar plants.
– Gwadar was a showcase of the “Chinese solution” for Pakistan’s development.
Key highlights from Asim Saleem Bajwa’s speech:
– Groundbreaking of the second phase at the vast 2200 acres starting today , would usher in a new era of prosperity in Gwadar and in Balochistan.
– Personal interest of Prime Minister Imran Khan resulted in materialization of trans-shipment policy, Afghan transit policy, the framework signing and execution of border trade with Iran and start of work at Eastbay Expressway.
– Conspiracies were on the rise against CPEC, however the commitment of the government greatly helped thwart such challenges.
Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Planning Minister Asad Umer, Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal and Minister for Maritime Affairs Ali Zaidi were present.
Seven regional countries including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Kenya and Qatar on Monday expressed their commitment for cooperation on the development of Gwadar.
With their respective ambassadors present at a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the regional countries showed their support for the development of Pakistan’s port city.
Also on the occasion, the Chinese investors through video-link from Shanghai showed the ‘Expression of Commitment for Investment’. Those who pledged to invest in Balochistan’s different sectors included Huang Weiguo (textile), Huang Daoyuan (prefabricated technology), Fang Hongyan (agriculture), Shen Jian (wool spinning), David Dia and Chen Yi (dairy processing) and Bao Dequan (textile).
The factories inaugurated on the occasion included chemical fertilizer factory, Gwadar Animal Vaccination factory and lubricant factory, besides the opening of Gwadar Tissue Plant Laboratory.