Pakistan invites Chinese investment in ports & logistics

Pakistan has invited Chinese investors to expand their investments in Pakistan’s ports, logistics, and maritime sectors.

Addressing the Regional Transit Trade Hub Initiative in Beijing, organised by Jiang Tonland International Holdings, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the government was committed to transforming the country into a regional transit trade, logistics and industrial hub.

He further said that Pakistan and China shared an “all-weather strategic partnership” that was entering a new phase centred on connectivity, trade facilitation, logistics, industrial development and sustainable economic growth.

“The global trading system is being reshaped by digitalisation, smart logistics, resilient supply chains, green shipping and multimodal transport, making stronger regional partnerships and innovation increasingly important,” he said.

The minister said that Pakistan’s strategic location positioned it as a “natural gateway for regional and international trade”.

He said maritime institutions, including the Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, Gwadar Port Authority and the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation, were implementing reforms to develop the country into a modern maritime, logistics and industrial hub serving regional markets.

“The Regional Transit Trade Hub initiative complemented Pakistan’s economic priorities and offered opportunities for cooperation in port modernisation, multimodal transport corridors, logistics parks, industrial infrastructure, maritime services, digital trade facilitation and value-added logistics,” Chaudhary said.

Describing Gwadar Port as a flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said it offered investment opportunities in port operations, logistics, warehousing, free zone development and maritime industries.

The minister invited Chinese enterprises to invest in these sectors and assured them that Pakistan would continue to provide a transparent and investment-friendly environment while facilitating long-term partnerships beneficial to both countries.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with China, Chaudhry also called for closer cooperation to build a more connected, resilient and prosperous future through enhanced trade and investment.