KARACHI, June 30: The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) would post institutional adviser on ports and shipping in Pakistan, which would help in getting grants for upgradation of technical expertise and training of manpower in various fields of ports and shipping.

This was resolved in a meeting held recently in Islamabad by the delegation of US Trade and Development Agency and officials from the Ministry of Ports and Shipping.

The USTDA delegation was given a briefing on maritime affairs and the development work being undertaken by the government in this area. They were also briefed about future development needs in maritime sector and the technical assistance required from the US in this respect.

The US team appreciated the role of minister for ports and shipping, Senator Babar Khan Ghouri in undertaking all the necessary development work and technological advancement in the maritime field, enabling Pakistan to keep pace with the latest trends in the maritime field.

The USTDA delegation, led by Ms Marian Bassett, country manager South Asia was asked to assist Pakistan in training of ministry’s officials in US institutions on subjects such as ports management, pollution control, port safety management, etc.

Assistance in terms of study and physical requirements for uplift of ship-breaking industry at Gadani was also discussed.

Pakistan also sought assistance in preparing feasibility report for upgradation of Pakistan Marine Academy to Maritime University. The USTDA delegation assured their full support in helping the country in the maritime sector.

On Pakistani side Captain Anwar Shah Director General Ports and Shipping and Askari Mehdi Abidi deputy secretary ministry of ports and shipping participated in the meting while Ms Marian Bassett was assisted by Joel R Reifman, Economic Counselor, and Ms Traci L Mell, Economic Officer, embassy of the US.