GWADAR: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Chinese and Pakistani officials to declare Gwadar and Zhuhai (China) twin cities.

Zhuhai Vice Mayor Wang Qingl Li, Zhuhai Port Authority director general Hauang Wen Zhong, Gwadar District Council Chairman Babu Gulab and Gwadar Port Authority head Dostain Jamaldini put their signatures on the MoU at a ceremony held here on Wednesday.

Briefing the Chinese delegation on Gwadar, Mr Gulab and Mr Jamaldini said the city had a small population of 6,000 in 1903, which increased to 45,021 – according to the 1998 national census – and now stood at 85,000.

Under the Gwadar Master Plan, they said, several development projects were being executed in the city, including those of hospitals, schools, roads and a dam.

Mr Jamaldini said the Board of Revenue and the Board of Investment were working on a plan to declare Gwadar tax-free zone. Under the plan, investment in power, water and infrastructure projects to be executed within 30km radius of Gwadar deep-sea port would be exempted from tax. The facility will also apply to products manufactured in the Gwadar industrial zone.

Later, the 13-member Chinese delegation visited Gwadar free trade zone, Gwadar hospital and other projects. The Vice Chairman of the District Council, Naimatullah Hoat and GDA director general Sajjad Baloch accompanied the guests.

Published in Dawn February 12th , 2015

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