KARACHI
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has directed the Trading Corporation of Pakistan to move its food and fertilisers cargoes to the new terminal set up at Port Qasim at a cost of Rs 10 billion.
The prime minister issued this directive to the TCP while inaugurating Pakistan’s first fully-automated terminal, built to handle dry grains and fertiliser cargoes in bulk. He said the setting up of the country’s most modern terminal in Karachi would promote economic growth, foreign trade, raise foreign exchange and tax revenues.
Gilani said political stability was vital for economic development in the country and the government believed in strengthening national harmony. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri were also present.
According to Fauji Akbar Portia Marine Terminals Limited (FAP) Chairman Lieutenant General (r) Hamid Rab Nawaz, it was the country’s first fully-automated grain and fertiliser terminal that had been built on 22 acres, land reclaimed within 24 months.
“The terminal is capable of handling four million metric tonnes of dry bulk cargo per annum, at a discharge ratio of over 5,000 tonnes per day, along with storage capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes.”
The prime minister said the government was committed to the growth and prosperity of Pakistan through creation of an investor-friendly environment in the country.
“The policies that have been put in place are a demonstration of our commitment to facilitate the private sector to invest in infrastructure projects in the country,” he added. Gilani said world-class facilities available at the terminal would further contribute to the GDP of the country and help Pakistan achieve its goals in becoming a strategic hub for regional trade.
He said recent trends in the shipping industry had shown that cargo ships were becoming larger. “These vessels have enhanced capacity to transport cargo in bulk quantities which makes commodities cheaper for the end consumer by reducing transportation costs and time to reach the market,” he said. He said availing this opportunity was only possible if the country’s ports and shipping channels can accommodate these large vessels, commonly known as Super Panamax.
Gilani said the country was facing a shortage of commodities due to the recent devastating floods in the country. “We can prevent these shortages and wastages as the strategic storage for precious commodities like wheat will now be possible because of FAP silos,” he said.
