QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri says that the provincial government is striving hard to create an investment friendly environment in the province and for the purpose it has offered attractive incentives to investors.

Speaking at the launching ceremony of Gwadar Gymkhana on Saturday night, he said with improvement in security situation Balochistan was fast becoming a hub of trade and business activities in the country.

The gymkhana is being constructed as a private project.

The chief minister vowed to protect investments and businesses in Gwadar and other parts of the province, saying that the government would provide all possible facilities and maximum incentives to both foreign and local investors.

He welcomed investors interested in setting up industries in Gwadar, saying that their units would be fully protected by the government.

Mr Zehri said the international airport being built in Gwadar with the cooperation of China would be the biggest in the country. Other transport services for connecting the port city with other parts of the country were also being launched.

He said Gwadar would soon become an international city, like Hong Kong, Singapore and port cities of the Gulf region. The port city, he added, would be a centre of business and trade activities in the region.

Zehri vows to protect investments and businesses in the province

The chief minister said Balochistan was rich with natural resources, adding that the province was attracting foreign investors.

He said the economic development of the country was linked with Balochistan.

Mr Zehri said the government was making efforts for providing all necessary facilities to the people of Gwadar.

Referring to commercial activities in the port city, he said the government had already inaugurated a free trade zone and a free industrial zone which offered great incentives to investors. A large number of commercial complexes and industrial units were being set up in the city, he said, adding that these commercial activities were creating thousands of jobs.

The chief minister said because of incentives and facilities being provided to investors in Gwadar, the government had gained the confidence of the business community.

He said a master plan for the development of Gwadar had been prepared and it was now being implemented in phases. At the present stage, he added, the government was developing the basic infrastructure of the city in which provision of basic civic facilities would be ensured.

He said Balochistan was changing fast and would soon become the most developed part of the country.

He said participation of a large number of people in a public meeting addressed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during his recent visit to Gwadar was an indicator that the government was enjoying the trust of people.

During his speech, the prime minister had announced a number of development projects, including a desalination plant for drinking water supply.

Addressing the ceremony, Gwadar Gymkhana’s owner Ahmed Iqbal shared details of the project.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2017