Turkmenistan Set to Utilize Gwadar Port Through CPEC Agreement
Turkmenistan is poised to become the first Central Asian nation to gain access to Pakistan’s Gwadar Port under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as both countries prepare to finalize an agreement.
Pakistan and Turkmenistan have been collaborating on several joint ventures, such as the TAPI gas pipeline, a railway line, and fiber connectivity, aimed at enhancing links between South and Central Asia. The upcoming agreement will further cement their strategic partnership.
According to sources from The Express Tribune, a government-appointed committee has been tasked with reviewing and approving the draft agreement between Gwadar Port and Turkmenistan’s Port of Turkmenbashi, which will be signed under the CPEC framework.
In a recent cabinet meeting, the Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives was entrusted with overseeing the agreement in collaboration with the Ministries of Commerce, Finance, and Maritime Affairs. The draft has already undergone due diligence by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Interior, with the Ministry of Law & Justice finalizing it after minor revisions.
The agreement aims to foster regional and international cooperation by leveraging the transit capabilities of both ports to enhance the flow of goods and containers between the two regions. The cabinet is expected to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) once the committee’s review is complete.
Additionally, the cabinet has formed a separate committee to consider a proposal for routing 50% of Pakistan’s public sector imports through Gwadar Port. This initiative is expected to reduce transportation costs, improve logistics, and promote the utilization of Gwadar as a major trade hub.