Pakistan is fortunate to have a geographic location along with a long coastal belt, connected with the world through important sea and land routes. Strategically Pakistan is at the junction of three commercially important regions of the world i.e. Oil-rich Middle East, Central Asian Republics (CARs) bestowed with natural resources, and South Asia has the potential for growth for the current century
Gwadar is being developed as a deep seaport and there will be 88 berths to berth ships of 2 lac TEUs by 2050. Gwadar has enormous potential from all angles and dimensions, whether it is trade or business, import or export, manufacturing, storage, or any kind of business activity whether known today or emerging with the help of ever-developing technology. In one sentence “Imagination is the limit”.
A few main potentials are:
Geographical Location:
In comparison to Gulf ports, especially Dubai, Gwadar has many advantages. For Dubai, ships have to traverse 700 km more distance and pass through the bottleneck of the Strait of Hormuz, where few ships can cross at a time. Moreover, the land-locked CARs, Afghanistan, Western China, and India (NW) shall have a short route to the world market through Gwadar. Moreover, the developed countries are eager to reach CARs to reap its natural resources through Gwadar being the shortest distance. Due to its location, Gwadar is not only a gateway to CARs but a gateway to world trade markets. The location of Gwadar Port is such that converges and diverges the world trade and business at this place. In comparison, Dubai is devoid of all this.
Trans-shipment:
Being a deep seaport, we can have trans-shipment with better terms and conditions than Dubai because we are short of Dubai and connected with main shipping routes leading to international trade markets. Dubai is at number 8 and handling (TEU 000) 322050 annually on which no country is dependant, is 700 km ahead of us and has to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Transit Trade:
For transit trade, many countries are dependant on us. The land-locked CARs and Afghanistan are dependant on us. Similarly, Western China and NW India will prefer to have their trade with the world through Gwadar. Even Russia wants to have her trades with the world throughout the year from warm waters i.e Gwadar.
Warehousing/Container Yards:
Due to trans-shipment and transit trade, there will be a lot of requirements for warehousing and container yards. All consignments/cargoes have to be unloaded and kept in warehouses before shipment and vice versa.
Trade & Business / Import & Export:
The trade and business of all kinds and magnitude starting from a needle till ship will flourish. Import and export of all items and quantities are possible. Gwadar shall be the Meeting Point for sellers and buyers, rich and poor, haves and have nots, and so on.