Social, Economic and Strategic Benefits of Gwadar Port

Abstract

Pakistan is building a port at the southwestern city of Gwadar on the mouth of the oil rich Persian Gulf. It provides an economical route for the flow of Central Asia’s natural resources to the world along with easy access to the growing consumer markets of Asia. This thesis conceptualizes on the Gwadar facility as a hub port that will contribute significantly to the revival of Pakistan’s economy. The mammoth trades generated by growing China, economically stabilizing India, reviving economies of South Asia and the diversifying Middle East require additional ports. However, presently there are no other new ports being built in this area and Gwadar port has the opportunity to attract large trade volumes. The Port’s first phase is complete and completion of second phase in coming years will change the economic destiny of the country in general, and the Balochistan province in particular Development of Gwadar will accrue extraordinary social economic and strategic benefits for Pakistan. Besides serving as gateway for trade with Central Asian states, the port will bring prosperity to the country’s doorstep particularly in the hitherto neglected province of Balochistan in general and coastal areas in particular. Furthermore, it would provide much needed flexibility in naval operations and dilute trade load; the economic lifeline of Pakistan, which, presently on the single port complex Karachi.