Pakistan Eyes $200B Investment from Qatar
Pakistan is looking towards Qatar to invest around $200 billion in regional connectivity projects worth multibillion of dollars.
Pakistan is working on a plan to prioritise projects linking the Middle East, Central Asia, China, and beyond.
Sources told NewzTodays.com that Pakistan is eying major investment from Saudi Arabia for a regional connectivity project.
“ The remaining gap of investment will be filled by Qatar with investment around $200 billion,” sources said, adding that the investment figure from Qatar was floated in a recent meeting chaired by Maritime Minister Junaid Anwar Chaudhry for an investment-ready roadmap to cement the role as Gulf–Gulf-China bridge.Saudi Arabia to build LNG terminal in Pakistan
During the meeting, it was indicated that Qatar would also invest $200 billion in regional connectivity projects. Representatives of all other concerned ministries also attended the meeting.
Pakistan is expediting efforts to position itself as a regional logistics and transit hub.
The objective of the meeting was to chalk out a plan to prioritise infrastructure projects linking the Middle East, Central Asia, China, and beyond.
The Maritime Minister has asked the key ministries and state institutions to prioritise projects for rapid funding.
The government is also currently working on proposing regulatory reforms and strengthening trade and transport corridors.
The government has also created a joint working group to finalize projects relating to regional connectivity. The projects include in different sectors like maritime, communications, railways, and defence.
The concerned ministries have been directed to produce a shortlist of workable projects.
The maritime ministry has discussed a plan to integrate Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and Gwadar Port with regional transport corridors.The corridors will be linked through rail, road, and air networks.
Pakistan is also proposing new projects with Saudi Arabia, including Karachi–KSA and Gwadar–KSA Gateway Terminals, expansion of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation fleet under Saudi partnership.
It is also working to start direct shipping lines from Karachi to Jeddah and Gwadar to Dammam. Pakistan wants to establish 20 green ship recycling yards at Gaddani.
Under the regional connectivity plan, the communications ministry wants to initiate a project for laying fibre optic cables along railway lines and expanding submarine cable networks.
The Petroleum Ministry also wants to set up an oil terminal in the hub worth $300 million with the cooperation of Saudi Arabia.
