Gwadar: Pakistan and Oman have held high level discussions to establish Gwadar Port and Oman’s Sohar Port as "sister ports," aimed at forging a direct maritime corridor to enhance trade, shipping, and logistics links between the two nations. The initiative was detailed during a bilateral meeting between Gwadar Port Authority Chairman Noor Ul Haq Baloch and Oman’s Consul General Sami Abdullah Salim Al Khanjari.
The proposed arrangement is designed to link the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) directly with Gulf and Central Asian markets, significantly streamlining cargo movement and reducing transit times across the region. Beyond maritime cooperation, both sides explored expanding air connectivity by introducing direct flights between Gwadar and Oman through Salam Air.
Utilising the newly developed New Gwadar International Airport, the proposed flight routes are expected to facilitate commercial travel, boost business exchanges, and support regional tourism. Officials emphasised that seamless air links would complement the maritime infrastructure, providing a comprehensive transport network for traders and investors.
The discussions also focused heavily on attracting foreign direct investment, with the Pakistani delegation inviting Omani enterprises to capitalize on opportunities within the Gwadar Free Zone. Key areas identified for potential joint ventures include logistics, warehousing, cold storage, and the fisheries sector.
To support these commercial endeavors, both nations agreed to deepen technical collaboration, focusing on digital port management, dredging operations, and specialised capacity building programs for port personnel.
The meeting concluded with both officials agreeing to expedite the drafting and finalisation of a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) through their respective ministries in the coming weeks. Consul General Al Khanjari reaffirmed Oman's full support for advancing the collaborative framework, signaling a shared commitment to developing Gwadar into a major maritime and trade hub for the region.
