July 06, 2006	Thursday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 9, 1427

KARACHI, July 5: A four-member Japanese delegation from Jetro and Jica visited Port Qasim on Wednesday.

The delegation comprising Hiroyuki Miyakawa, DG Jetro; Kokyo Tamaki, project formation advisor Jica and two consultants from International Development Centre of Japan -- Georag Terahara and Shigeki Kawahar -- evinced keen interest in infrastructure development related projects of the port.

Chairman, Port Qasim Authority (PQA) Vice Admiral Asad Qureshi welcomed the delegation and said that the PQA appreciated foreign investment in port and shipping sector and would facilitate all such investments. He further said that $1.5 investment had been made in port projects, while $3 billion investment was in the pipeline.

Port Qasim is undertaking development projects including deepening of navigational channel to maintain an all-weather 13.5 metres draught, LPG terminal, a textile city, World Trade Centre, waterfronts and Diamond Bar Island City.

He said that to promote industrialisation, the PQA has completed a major road network and other projects in Port Qasim industrial area. Ninety-one industrial and commercial units are already operative, while 53 units are being constructed.

The share of Port Qasim in sea-borne trade increased from 33 per cent to more than 42 per cent in the financial year 2005- 06. As one of the largest revenue sources the PQA contributed more than Rs71 billion in the form of duties and taxes. —APP