KARACHI, April 20: Malaysian minister for plantation, industries and commodities Datuk Peter Fah Kui inaugurated on Friday the expansion project of MAPAK Qasim Bulkers terminal at Port Qasim.

The Malaysian minister, who is leading a high-powered delegation from his country during his meeting with the chairman, Port Qasim Authority, stressed joint venture between the two countries in infrastructure and industrial projects, particularly in palm oil.

Datuk Peter Fah Kui assured full support of his ministry in setting up such projects and appreciated the 17 per cent growth recorded by the PQA during the current financial year.

The delegation members held productive discussion on investment projects and matters of mutual interest with the PQA chairman.

It was informed that nine different private sector projects are being implemented at the port which after completion by 2010 will result in 100 per cent increase in berths and 161 per cent increase in operational capacity of the port.

Mr Qureshi highlighted industrial functions of the port and maintained that to facilitate industrialisation, land is being allotted free of cost. In order to encourage fast industrialisation, he said, the port instead of charging for basic infrastructure facilities, like water, roads, sewerage and storm water drainage, only takes peripheral development charges.