ISLAMABAD: Maritime Affairs Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has invited Kuwait to invest in various port and logistics corridor project in Pakistan, Chaudhry’s office said on Thursday, amid Islamabad’s push to boost maritime trade and blue economy.
Pakistan has intensified its efforts to attract foreign investment into its maritime and logistics sectors as part of the broader push to develop the country’s blue economy, expand port infrastructure and capitalize on its geographic location near key global shipping lanes.
The South Asian country wants to expand regional trade connectivity through its Arabian Sea ports, particularly Gwadar, which Islamabad has promoted as a strategic transshipment hub linking Central Asia, the Gulf, Africa and South Asia.
Chaudhry met Kuwait’s Ambassador Nassar Abdulrahman Jasser Al-Mutairi and discussed strategically located coastal and energy logistics corridors as well as outlined a wide range of maritime and port infrastructure projects in Pakistan that can attract foreign capital.
“The minister offered Kuwaiti ambassador opportunities in fuel storage, bonded terminal facilities, jetty construction, port infrastructure and the government’s planned ‘Energy City’ initiative, aimed at developing integrated energy and logistics hubs near key ports,” Chaudhry’s office said.
“The maritime minister had also invited Kuwait to explore projects linked to the storage and handling of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil and white oil products at national ports.”
The development comes as Pakistan sees a surge in port activity as vessels divert from Gulf transshipment hubs due to disruptions caused by the United States-Iran war and Tehran’s counterattacks on Israel as well as US interests and other infrastructure in the Gulf.
Chaudhry said Pakistan was seeking international partnerships to modernize its maritime sector and increase the country’s role in regional trade and energy transit.
He proposed the establishment of rental-based bonded storage facilities to support regional trade flows and improve supply chain efficiency for energy imports and exports. A multipurpose terminal at Port Qasim, one of Pakistan’s largest commercial ports near Karachi, was also among the proposed projects.
“Pakistani ports offer significant potential for long-term investment in logistics, storage and maritime infrastructure,” he was quoted as saying at the meeting.
“New terminals and storage infrastructure were being planned to increase cargo-handling capacity and strengthen ports’ position as a regional maritime gateway.”
The maritime minister assured Kuwaiti investors of government facilitation for potential ventures.
“Kuwaiti Ambassador expressed interest in reviewing the proposed projects, particularly those linked to the Energy City initiative and port-based fuel storage infrastructure,” Chaudhry’s office said.
“Both sides agreed to continue consultations, with follow-up engagements as Pakistan seeks to deepen economic ties with Kuwait through maritime-sector collaboration.”
