ISLAMABAD: The government on Friday agreed to immediately start working towards facilitation of a cross-stuffing facility for Afghan transit trade containers at Gwadar Port.

This decision was taken during the first meeting of the committee set up for this purpose in Islamabad.

Secretary for Maritime Affairs Mathar Niaz Rana presided over the meeting which was convened to examine the proposal for permission of cross stuffing for Afghan transit trade containers as a pilot project in the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.

On directions of the prime minister, officials from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will visit and inspect the development facility at Gwadar Port and also decide the date for inauguration of the cross stuffing facility.

The committee for facilitation of cross stuffing was constituted on the directions of the prime minister with the purpose to resolve hurdles in projects related to Gwadar.

Mr Rana said projects in Gwadar were key drivers for overall economic development of the country.

These projects provide a cost-effective route for the flow of Central Asia’s natural resources to the world along with an easy access to the growing consumer markets of Asia.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2022