Key Takeaways
- Maritime Affairs Minister proposes a business facilitation centre to streamline port services.
- The centre aims to reduce delays and costs for exporters and importers.
- Stakeholders from various maritime organisations will collaborate to implement the centre.
Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has proposed establishing a business facilitation centre to streamline port-related services for exporters and importers, according to Dawn Business.
The centre, which would bring representatives of relevant organisations together at a single location, aims to reduce delays and costs associated with trucking, containers, storage, demurrage, vessel delays and administrative procedures.
Speaking at a meeting to review progress on port-related projects, Chaudhry highlighted the potential benefits of the centre, stating that it could improve fee collection, reduce leakages, and generate additional revenue from port services, cargo handling, customs-related activity, and associated logistics.
The minister emphasized that the centre would facilitate better coordination among maritime-sector organisations, making port services more accessible to businesses engaged in international trade.
To ensure the centre’s structure and operations are effective, Chaudhry has called a meeting of government departments and maritime-sector stakeholders to seek their input.
The final footprint of the proposed centre will be decided by key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Karachi Port, Port Qasim, Gwadar Port, the Marine Fisheries Department, and Korangi Fish Harbour, along with banks, shipping lines, clearing and forwarding agents, fisheries associations, and other private-sector stakeholders.
Chaudhry directed officials to consult all stakeholders and incorporate their recommendations to ensure the centre’s success.
The initiative is expected to benefit all enterprises, exporters, importers, and particularly first-time users of port services, as it aims to standardise procedures and improve fee collection.
