Maritime minister directs officials to bring port-related government services under one platform to facilitate businesses and boost trade.
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has directed officials to accelerate work on establishing a one-door facilitation centre in Karachi to provide port-related business services under a single platform.
The minister issued the directive while reviewing ongoing projects and policy initiatives of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs at a weekly review meeting.
The meeting reviewed progress on a range of initiatives aimed at facilitating maritime trade, strengthening the fisheries sector and unlocking Pakistan’s blue-economy potential.
Junaid Anwar stressed the need to expedite the proposed One-door Cell for business facilitation, saying the initiative would allow port-related businesses to access government services more conveniently.
In line with the Prime Minister’s vision for trade facilitation, the minister directed officials to bring services linked to port-related trade under a single platform to improve the ease of doing business.
The meeting also reviewed proposals to simplify the registration process for ships and fishing vessels, along with measures related to the blue economy and tax incentives for fisheries exporters.
Officials briefed the minister on progress towards developing the National Maritime Policy and National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy.
The Shipping and Transshipment Policy was also discussed, alongside development initiatives at Port Qasim, including the Sea-to-Steel Project and the proposed Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex.
The meeting further reviewed progress on the rehabilitation of the Manora Workshop of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and various development projects at Gwadar Port.
Officials also briefed the minister on the Maritime Educational Endowment Fund, which is aimed at supporting maritime education and human-resource development.
The minister directed officials to maintain momentum and ensure the timely completion of projects, particularly initiatives focused on improving business facilitation and strengthening Pakistan’s maritime sector.