ISLAMABAD, Aug 27: The government is likely to approve the establishment of a dry port at Sukkur to promote trading activities in the area.

Official sources told Dawn that the decision to this effect was expected to be taken in the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet meeting here on Thursday.

Elaborating the project, the sources said the main goods railways station at Sukkur was in fact a readymade dry port and it only required renovation and provision of furniture to become fully operational.

Pakistan Railways, National Logistic Cell and officials of Customs House, Hyderabad have already inspected the site on different occasions and found it suitable for dry port operations.

The officials were of the opinion that the PR, NLC and the private sector bonded carriers of dry port cargo could profitably start transshipment of cargo to and from Sukkur.

Explaining the importance of the port, they said from Sukkur only dates worth Rs2 billion were annually exported. “There is a vast potential for export of rice, cotton and citrus fruits and vegetables from the region,” they added.