Two expressions of interest received for Gwadar port
M RAFIQ GORAYA
ISLAMABAD (August 05 2005): Two international parties of Dubai, Singapore and the Globe Marines have sent their Expressions of Interest (EoIs) to the Ports and Shipping Ministry to run Gwadar Seaport, likely to be commissioned in June 2006, reliable sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday.
The sources said that in view of the extraordinary success of Singapore Seaport and Dubai Seaport being run by the private sector, the Government of Pakistan has also decided to give Gwadar Seaport to the private sector on 25-30 years lease with attractive concessions for rapid development and industrialisation.
They said that two firms of international repute, Arthur D. Little and Halcrow, have offered their services as consultants who will prepare the detailed operation procedures and terms of reference for the private sector to run the seaport, which will initially function as the transhipment port for big containers.
The sources also said that the best offers of the international companies are under active consideration of the concerned authorities and a decision would be taken soon so that necessary infrastructure could be ready for inauguration of this vital project.
They said that on the instructions of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, the National Highway Authority (NHA) has accelerated its construction work to connect the seaport with the coastal highway and rest of the country. The work to connect the harbour with the coastal highway from West Bay would be completed in two months, while from the East Bay, it would take sometime, as over 100 houses in the area are to be relocated for which Rs 200 million have been provided to the concerned department, they added.
For upcountry connectivity with Chaman, the sources said that the NHA is constructing a road linking coastal highway with Turbat, 50km towards Karachi from Gwadar.
The road from Turbat to Khuzdar has also been given to the NHA so that work on the upgradation and expansion of this road could be immediately started.
On completion, the Gwadar Seaport is likely to provide job opportunities to thousands of Baloch youths.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2005