ISLAMABAD : Ministry of Maritime Affairs informed that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Port of Gwadar, the Government of Pakistan and Port of Turkmenbashi, the Government of Turkmenistan was formulated with the aim to develop and promote cooperation between Turkmenistan and Pakistan in the field of merchant shipping and ports on a mutually advantageous basis for economic development. It was further stated that initially, the Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) proposed to sign the MoU with the Government of Turkmenistan.
The Ministry informed that due process of examination of the MoU and consultations with Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Interior had been completed. The Ministries/organisations had supported the signing of the said MoU. The Ministry of Law & Justice, after making minor changes, also vetted the draft MoU. Upon receipt of final agreed draft MoU from Turkmenistan for concurrence of Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted the same to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.
Deliberating on the articles/clauses of the draft MoU, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs informed the Cabinet that the objective of the arrangement was to establish regional and international cooperation to utilise the potential capacities of the two ports for transit of goods and containers; to establish appropriate procedures to coordinate merchant activities regarding geographic location and existing facilities of either port in order to achieve the utmost level of cooperation; to establish the necessary facilities to resolve the problems of the ship forwarding and contracting companies of the two countries and to conduct joint studies on port activities.
The Cabinet observed that the proposal must be analysed in the context of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and assigned the Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives to review the same. Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Maritime Affairs were to assist in the review.
Approval of the Cabinet was solicited to the proposal of the summary, for signing the Memorandum of Understanding between Port of Gwadar, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and Port of Turkmenbashi, the Government of Turkmenistan in terms of Rule-16(1)(h) and Rule 17(1) of Rules of Business, 1973.
However, the Cabinet has directed that the Ministries of Maritime Affairs, Commerce and Finance, under the convenership of the Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, shall, within a period of two weeks, review and formulate recommendations relating to all aspects of the proposed arrangement between the Port of Gwadar and Port of Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan, including transit of goods and other mercantile and commercial activities, in the context of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The MoU shall be placed before the Cabinet upon completion of the review and formulation of recommendations. Ends
