ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a major initiative to attract Chinese industries seeking relocation due to the ongoing tariff dispute between China and the United States. The government is developing a strategic framework aimed at positioning Gwadar, the deep-sea port city central to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), as a prime destination for Chinese investment.
Sources told The Express Tribune that the Cabinet Committee on Chinese Investment Projects (CCoCIP) recently directed the Board of Investment (BOI) and the Ministry of Industries and Production to prepare a detailed roadmap within five days. The plan will outline steps to lure Chinese businesses looking to move operations amid escalating US tariffs under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The CCoCIP also reviewed a summary from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs regarding compliance with previous decisions and took several strategic steps to enhance Pakistan’s attractiveness as an industrial relocation hub.
One significant move was instructing the Ministry of Commerce to immediately issue a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) to allow the export of Potassium Sulphate fertiliser from Gwadar Port. Although this had been previously approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and the federal cabinet, it had not yet been formally notified.
Further directives included initiating a high-level meeting next week, involving key economic ministries and the State Bank of Pakistan, to launch a pilot project for Foreign Currency Facilitation within the Gwadar Free Zone. The Finance Division is preparing a one-page briefing for the session.
The CCoCIP also urged the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to hold consultations with local fishermen to facilitate international seafood transshipment through Gwadar Port, with a report due at the next meeting.
On the Karachi Comprehensive Coastal Development Zone (KCCDZ) project, the committee ordered the formation of a ministerial team to engage with the Sindh Chief Minister to resolve outstanding issues.
Addressing infrastructure challenges, the Power Division was directed to coordinate with naval authorities to supply electricity to Gwadar’s Desalination Plant from the Naval Grid, pending the resumption of Iranian power imports. Additionally, the Power Division will work with the Gwadar Port Authority to link the plant to the National Grid through an extended line from Panjgur.
Meanwhile, NEPRA and the Power Division have been instructed to expedite the electricity supply mechanism for the Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and present an implementation report in the upcoming meeting.
Lastly, the Board of Investment has been tasked to promptly act on all pending CCoCIP decisions and submit a comprehensive progress report at the committee’s next session.
Story by Zafar Bhutta
