Gwadar Port Revitalization: Minister Seeks Marketing Boost

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has initiated efforts to revitalize the Gwadar Port by seeking marketing templates and packages to promote cost-effective trade routes and increase maritime trade, aiming to attract more cargo and boost economic growth in the region.

The Gwadar Port, built over a decade ago, remains underutilized due to a lack of marketing and non-professional handling by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and National Logistics Cell. Minister Iqbal has criticized the authorities for not effectively marketing Gwadar's competitive advantage to export cargo companies and traders abroad, resulting in the port turning into a 'white elephant' instead of becoming a transshipment hub. To address this issue, the minister has directed the authorities to hire an international consultant to perform a cost-benefit analysis of shipments through Gwadar and explain its comparative advantages in terms of shorter route distances, time, and costs.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also directed that 60% of public sector cargoes be shipped through Gwadar to revitalize the port's economic activities. The Planning Minister emphasized the need for focused efforts to achieve this target, including changing the approach of the National Logistics Cell to prioritize revenue from multiple cargoes at cheaper rates. Despite having ready-to-use containers and cargo-handling equipment, trade opportunities offered by Gwadar's multimillion-dollar infrastructure remain unexploited, highlighting the need for effective marketing and management to unlock the port's potential.

The revitalization of the Gwadar Port is crucial for Pakistan's economic growth, and the government's efforts to promote cost-effective trade routes and increase maritime trade are expected to have a positive impact on the region. With the right marketing and management strategies in place, the Gwadar Port can become a major transshipment hub, attracting more cargo and boosting economic activity in the region.

The Gwadar Port's revitalization efforts focus on marketing and cost-benefit analysis to increase maritime trade and attract more cargo, with the government aiming to ship 60% of public sector cargoes through the port to unlock its potential as a transshipment hub.