Pakistan seeks Chinese investment in ports, logistics and maritime projects

Pakistan has invited Chinese companies to invest in the country’s ports, logistics, and maritime sectors as the government seeks to develop the country into a regional transit, trade, and industrial hub.

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 Pakistan-China economic cooperation was entering a new phase focused on connectivity, trade facilitation, logistics, industrial development and sustainable growth.

He said Pakistan’s location positioned it as a natural gateway for regional and international trade.

Chaudhry said the Karachi Port Trust, Port Qasim Authority, Gwadar Port Authority and Pakistan National Shipping Corporation were undertaking reforms to modernise the country’s maritime and logistics infrastructure.

He identified investment opportunities in port modernisation, multimodal transport corridors, logistics parks, maritime services, industrial infrastructure, digital trade facilitation and value-added logistics.

The minister described Gwadar Port as a flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and invited investment in its port operations, warehousing, logistics, free zone development and maritime industries.

He assured Chinese investors that Pakistan would provide a transparent and investment-friendly environment and facilitate long-term commercial partnerships.

Chaudhry said changing global trade patterns, including digitalisation, smart logistics, resilient supply chains, green shipping and multimodal transport, required stronger regional cooperation and greater investment in modern infrastructure.

He thanked Jiang Tonland International Holdings for bringing government representatives and business leaders together to discuss regional connectivity and economic cooperation.

The minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening economic ties with China through expanded trade, investment and infrastructure collaboration.