Faster One-Door Port Business Facilitation Centre Planned in Karachi
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has directed officials to accelerate work on establishing a one-door business facilitation centre in Karachi to provide port-related business services under one roof.
The initiative is aimed at improving trade facilitation, making it easier for port businesses, shipping-related companies and other maritime-sector stakeholders to access government services through 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 a range of projects and policy measures focused on facilitating maritime trade, strengthening the fisheries sector and advancing Pakistan’s blue economy.
One-Door Cell to Support Port-Related Businesses
The minister stressed the need to expedite work on the proposed One-door Cell for business facilitation, saying the initiative is intended to simplify access to government services for businesses operating in the port and maritime sectors.
He said that, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision for trade facilitation, services connected with port trade should be made available under one roof.
The proposed arrangement is expected to provide a more streamlined channel for businesses dealing with government-related port services, supporting efforts to improve the ease of doing business in the maritime sector.
Ship Registration and Fisheries Policies Reviewed
The meeting also examined proposals to simplify the ship registration process and registration of fishing vessels.
Officials also discussed measures related to the blue economy and tax incentives for fisheries exporters, while the minister was briefed on progress towards the formulation of the National Maritime Policy and the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy.
The Shipping and Transshipment Policy was also reviewed during the meeting.
Port Qasim and Gwadar Development Projects
Several major maritime development projects were discussed, including projects at Port Qasim.
These included the Sea-to-Steel Project and the proposed Integrated Maritime Industrial Complex.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the rehabilitation of the Manora Workshop of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and various development projects at Gwadar Port.
Maritime Education and Human Resource Development
The Maritime Educational Endowment Fund was also considered during the meeting. The fund is aimed at supporting the development of maritime education and human resources.
The minister directed relevant officials to maintain momentum on ongoing projects and ensure timely progress, with particular emphasis on initiatives that can improve the ease of doing business across Pakistan’s maritime sector.
What the One-Door Port Facility Could Mean for Maritime Business
The proposed one-door facilitation centre represents an administrative approach focused on bringing port-related government services together under a single platform.
From a business-facilitation perspective, the emphasis is on simplifying access to public services for companies involved in port trade and related maritime activities. The initiative is also being pursued alongside measures concerning ship registration, fishing vessel registration, fisheries exports, maritime policy and port development.
Taken together, the projects reviewed at the meeting indicate a broad policy focus on maritime trade, port infrastructure, fisheries, shipping and blue economy development. The minister’s direction to maintain momentum places emphasis on timely implementation rather than introducing new measures in the meeting itself.
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