GWADAR, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday inaugurated the first ever two-day Gwadar Expo 2018 and Gwadar Free Zone (Phase-1) in the Port City.
The inauguration event was attended by foreign dignitaries, ambassadors and people from business community from different countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Expo – being jointly organized by China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC) and Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) on January 29-30, 2018 – would be a mega event in Balochistan’s history which would help the exhibitors and the participants to understand the real potential of Gwadar Port.
In his address at the inaugural ceremony of Gwadar Expo, the prime minister said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project was becoming a reality today. He said the CPEC project had been the vision of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Khaqan Abbasi said Gwadar Expo was a remarkable step taken by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government. He said the project was a gift from the Chinese President Xi Jinping to the present and future generations of Pakistan.
The prime minister said CPEC and other projects would bring prosperity in the entire region. He said CPEC was a game changer for Pakistan as well as the whole region.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the future of Balochistan was in the hands of its leadership. He said the federal government would fully support and cooperate on Coast Line Project.
“If the PML-N is elected in the general elections 2018, these projects will continue,” the prime minister said.
Earlier the Federal Minister for Interior and Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal said while addressing the inaugural ceremony that Free Zone was being built in Gwadar, adding the development in the Port City was an evidence of Pakistan and China’s commitment towards CPEC.
Ahsan Iqbal said CPEC had changed Pak-China ties into strategic partnership. He said China had been the biggest investor in Pakistan in the last three years.
The minister said CPEC would help Pakistan to become an economic power of the region.
While speaking at the event, the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Yao Jing said China would continue to support Pakistan for further progress and prosperity.
Yao Jing said the Chinese companies were being encouraged to invest in Pakistan and with the cooperation of both the Countries, projects in Gwadar would contribute in the prosperity of the region.
Earlier upon his arrival in Gwadar, the Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and senior government officials received the prime minister.
