KARACHI: China’s Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC) on Wednesday presented a detailed plan to develop a high-tech aquaculture industry in Pakistan’s coastal city of Gwadar, the maritime affairs ministry said, describing the plan as a “transformative opportunity” for the country’s coastal development.
Gwadar is in Pakistan’s impoverished southwestern province of Balochistan, a sparsely populated, mountainous, desert region where China is involved in the development of a deep-sea port on the Arabian Sea as part of a $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The aquaculture industry involves the farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, shrimps, crabs, oysters, seaweed, and other marine or freshwater species. In a meeting with Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, COPHC Chairman Yu Bo outlined his organization’s vision to develop a sustainable, technologically advanced aquaculture sector in the port city.
“This project will harness Gwadar’s rich marine resources and transform the city into a key hub for seafood production, processing, and export,” Chaudhry was quoted as saying by the ministry. He highlighted the project’s potential to generate employment, attract investment and strengthen the local economy.
The Pakistani minister assured full government support for all investors and companies aiming to establish operations in the country toward unlocking Pakistan’s blue economy.
“We strongly support initiatives that bring investment, technology, and jobs to our coastal regions,” he said.
Chaudhry noted that Gwadar’s coastline offers immense potential for aquaculture ventures due to its favorable sea conditions and proximity to international markets. He emphasized the importance of developing hatcheries, seafood processing facilities and sustainable aquaculture farms to meet global quality standards and boost exports. The minister said developing aquaculture was key to enhancing exports and ensuring food security in Pakistan.
Both sides agreed to continue coordination through relevant government departments and technical experts to develop viable models and policy frameworks for smooth project implementation.
Pakistan, China to develop aquaculture industry in Gwadar to boost seafood production, export
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Pakistan, China to develop aquaculture industry in Gwadar to boost seafood production, export
- Chinese port company presents plan to develop high-tech aquaculture industry in Pakistan’s coast city of Gwadar
- Developing aquaculture key to enhancing exports, ensuring food security, says Pakistan’s maritime affairs minister
UAE president to visit Pakistan on Dec. 26 to strengthen trade, investment cooperation
- Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit Pakistan with high-level delegation of ministers, officials, says FO
- UAE president to meet PM Shehbaz Sharif to review bilateral ties, discuss matters of regional and global interest
ISLAMABAD: UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will visit Pakistan on Dec. 26 to review ties between the two nations, exchange views on regional matters and strengthen collaboration with Islamabad in trade, investment, energy and development sectors, the Pakistani foreign office said on Wednesday.
Al Nayhan, who will undertake his first official visit to Pakistan as the UAE’s president later this week, will arrive with a high-level delegation comprising ministers and senior officials, the foreign office said in a statement.
“The visit of High Highness reflects the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries and shared commitment of both sides to further enhancing collaboration in key areas, including trade, investment, energy, development and regional stability,” the statement said.
The UAE president will review the entire spectrum of bilateral ties in a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
“The visit will provide an important opportunity to further strengthen the longstanding brotherly relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates,” the foreign office noted.
The announcement from the foreign office takes place a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met UAE Ambassador Salem Mohammed Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi in Islamabad. The prime minister urged both countries to enhance cooperation in trade and investment.
Pakistan considers the UAE among its closest economic and regional allies, since the Gulf nation is Islamabad’s third-largest trading partner after China and the US.
Policymakers in Pakistan consider the UAE an optimal export destination due to its geographical proximity, which minimizes transportation and freight costs while facilitating commercial transactions.
Both nations have signed agreements worth billions of dollars recently as Pakistan eyes greater trade and economic ties with Gulf states.
In January 2024, Pakistan and the UAE signed multiple agreements worth more than $3 billion for cooperation in railways, economic zones and infrastructure sectors.
The UAE is also a major source of foreign investment in Pakistan, which has been valued at over $10 billion in the last 20 years, according to the UAE’s foreign ministry.
