Gwadar's Rapid Transformation: China Exhibition and Trading Centre Achieved in Record Time

The China Exhibition and Trading Centre, a remarkable feat of construction, has swiftly risen at Gwadar Port. In just six months, and at a cost of $12 million, this impressive project has been completed.

In a meeting chaired by the Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, the announcement was made on a Friday. This visionary endeavor was initiated in November 2022, following the directive of Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who is dedicated to fostering business and related activities in Gwadar.

China Offshore Ports Handling Company (COPHCL) took the reins of construction under the Planning Minister's guidance, and it culminated on a recent Friday. Moreover, the Planning Minister has set the stage for the third International Expo Gwadar in the newly minted Expo Centre, scheduled for June 2023, aligning with the 10-year celebrations of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in July 2023.

Gwadar holds immense importance within the framework of the CPEC and the broader Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Nestled strategically on the Arabian Sea, Gwadar stands as Pakistan's foremost deep-water port, providing a vital conduit to the Arabian Gulf, Middle East, and Central Asia.

The CPEC-driven development aims to metamorphose Gwadar into a bustling trade and economic nucleus, augmenting regional connectivity and fortifying Pakistan's maritime trade. With its potential as an energy and transport corridor, coupled with its strategic location, Gwadar beckons international investment and economic collaboration. This, in turn, fuels economic expansion and regional integration.