In his ceremony address, Imran Khan said that Gwadar Port is becoming a focal point of development for Pakistan, and especially the Balochistan Province, where the port is located. With the start of construction of Gwadar North Free Zone, and the implementation of several other projects, Gwadar Port will bring new opportunities for regional trade.

He said that China offers much successful development experience for  Pakistan to draw on, and that the Pakistani government is working hard to improve its business environment for attracting foreign investors.

Chinese ambassador Nong Rong said that Gwadar Port is the leading project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and that China and Pakistan have worked hand in hand to make significant progress in Gwadar on port operation, free zone development, transportation infrastructure, and social and livelihood projects.

According to information provided, the projects started on the same day include the infrastructure construction of Gwadar North Free Zone, a chemical fertilizer factory, an expo building, an animal vaccination factory and a lubricant factory.

In addition, the Chinese government signed with the Pakistani side a Memorandum of Understanding for the donation of household solar systems from China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment to the Pakistani people, and also an implement agreement for China’s aid in the construction of a desalination plant at Gwadar Port.

In recent years, under the operation of China Overseas Ports Holding Company Limited (COPHC), Gwadar Port has made important progress, including regular liners, infrastructure construction and investment promotion for Gwadar South Free Zone, re-export trade to Afghanistan, and so on.

Gwadar Free Zone is adjacent to Gwadar Port, covering an area of about 923 hectares, including two zones in the north and south respectively. The southern one is mainly used for exhibition, sales, transit and overseas warehousing, while the northern one is a processing and manufacturing area, mainly for port-oriented industries.