Is Gwadar Port an economic haven for Balochistan and Pakistan?

Summary, in English

Gwadar port is a deep-sea port that lies at the southwestern coast of the Balochistan province. Since 2002, it has been given quite some attention; the government realized its potential of becoming a major hub port of the region, given its proximity to the Strait of Hormuz, a sea passage through which a fifth of the world’s oil transit occurs. MOUs have been signed and commitments made in excess of a billion U.S. dollars for projects at the port, including economic and industrial zones, an international airport, railway and road networks, and civic centers, among others. A few other multibillionaire projects in the province have been announced in connection with the port. Gwadar is Balochistan’s biggest and the province’s first international project at this scale.
However, Gwadar is subject to mixed implications; whereas several development initiatives have gone underway to exploit the port’s potential, there have been numerous conflicts, obstacles and delays and a serious lack of attention paid towards the port.
China’s focus has been at the center of the development of Gwadar. With global trade growing, as well as China and Pakistan’s international and bilateral trade soaring , Gwadar would be one more doorway for these two countries and the rest of the world. It could also be enrolled in China’s vast communication network – the String of Pearls.

• Author: Tousif Yousaf
• Department/s: Department of Economic History
• Publishing year: 2012
• Language: English
• Full text: Available as PDF - 2 MB; Download statistics
• Document type: Student publication for Master's degree (one year)
• Topic: Business and Economics
• Keywords: Gwadar; port; China; foreign direct investment
• Supervisor: Erik Green