Chinese companies as well as locals have given a clarion call for speeding up the pace of development of Gwadar, writes Imtaiz Gul.
“Rome was not built in a day, and all of these historical issues would be tackled as long as we work together …Let’s join hands for the betterment of our future and our next generation.” This message by Zhang Baozhong, Chairman of China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC) Gwadar (in an interview with China Economic Net (CEN), sums up the frustrations that both the locals as well as the Chinese companies endure every now and then.
Chinese Companies & Locals In Unison Over Gwadar Uplift
Locals, particularly the fishermen, are up in arms against depleting fish catch at the sea and fewer job opportunities. They are also wary of inadequate water and power for the city, which relies on unstable power supply from Iran.
The result: repeated strikes by the fishermen that cause frequent disruption in the work, complicated also by occasions protests and strikes that local political actors stage. The Eastbay Expressway, the flagship project of CPEC that directly links the Port and the Free Zone, is over 90% complete but socio-political resentment and agitation often brings the work to a halt.
Officials say water and power are the responsibility of the Gwadar Port Authority (GDA) and they are working on both to bridge the supply and demand gap. Most of the projects related to the Gwadar Port are either completed or near completion. Gwadar Free Zone, North is under development and factories are being constructed.
The completion of this project will most likely ease the livelihood of fishermen as the access bridges and breakwater is connected to that, officials say.
The medium to long term promise for the locals is also big.
“According to our plan, Gwadar would become the logistic hub in this region within five years!” Zhang Baozhong told China Economic Net while reviewing the 5-year-journey of Gwadar.
Gwadar’s Potential In Generating Economic Activity
As per its blueprint, once the Free Zone is fully developed it will employ more than 30,000 people and add at least $10 billion to Pakistan’s GDP. Life of local people will dramatically improve with more schools, hotels and medical facilities to cater to the needs of growing number of people associated with the port and the industrial zone. Water and electrical issues will be completely tackled, say Pakistani and Chinese officials.
Zhang invited different companies to invest in the rosy future of Gwadar. “Gwadar will become one of the attractive cities in the world – a dreamland for human beings!”
Chinese Companies Seek Efficient Logistics Network
Zhang said logistics is one of the best businesses in Gwadar as it is the gateway to Middle Asian countries and can help uplift lives of locals, besides facilitating businesses and Chinese companies. Gwadar is close to oil rich countries like Oman and Saudi Arabia, and the raw materials can easily reach the port but the port itself will not generate any revenue. A proper volume of business is needed to develop the port, and a good logistics system is needed to handle the cargo. Development of Free Zone and the Port is like twin brothers (both will have to go hand in hand) he said.
Oil refinery at or around Gwadar is also welcomed as many plants depend on the availability of gas, LPG or LNG. This business will not only help Gwadar port itself, but also help Pakistan achieve a stable supply of important industrial material.
“I believe that Gwadar will be a new economic hub of this region, and it will play important roles in the development of south Pakistan, Afghanistan, and even Middle Asian countries,” remarked Zhang.
