At Kazakhstan forum, Pakistan presents Karachi and Gwadar ports as 'strategic gateways' for Central Asian trade

Pakistan can serve as a vital trade and transit route for landlocked Central Asian nations, granting them access to international shipping lanes and global markets, claimed Board of Investment (BoI) Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh on Monday. Delivering remarks at the kick-off session of the Second Tianshan Forum for Central Asian Economic and Quality Investment, held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Sheikh referred to Pakistan's three key ports - Karachi Port, Port Qasim, and Gwadar Port - as "strategic gateways facilitating regional trade, enhancing transportation links, and providing alternative shipping routes for goods," as per a BoI press release.

Sheikh emphasized the importance of Karachi as Pakistan's primary industrial and commercial center, noting its developed industrial sector, business infrastructure, financial institutions, and port capabilities as key opportunities for trade, industrial collaborations, and foreign investment. He also highlighted Gwadar's potential to further enhance regional connectivity and economic cooperation.

Sheikh underscored that regional collaboration extends beyond linking roads, ports, and markets, encompassing economic integration, investment creation, employment generation, and shared prosperity across the area. He invited regional and international investors to explore opportunities in key industries like energy, infrastructure, logistics, transportation, manufacturing, and trade, stating that improved connectivity and stable energy supplies are crucial for unlocking the region's economic potential.

Sheikh acknowledged the Carec Programme's role in advancing transport connectivity, trade facilitation, and economic integration among participating nations. He noted that Carec serves as a valuable platform for strengthening economic partnerships between Pakistan and Central Asian states. The minister stressed Pakistan's strategic position due to its youthful population, industrial capabilities, and port facilities, positioning the country to serve as a critical link connecting Central Asian economies with international markets.

The Two-Day Tianshan Forum, concluding in Almaty on Tuesday, is themed "Strengthening Resilient Connectivity and Quality Investment in Central Asia." The two-day conference follows the success of the inaugural Tianshan Forum for Central Asia Economic Cooperation and aligns with the new Carec Institute Strategy 2026-2030, as well as the Carec 2030 Strategy Midterm Review Rolling Implementation Action Plan.

Despite the uncertain global landscape of rising geopolitical tensions, energy and food price hikes, disrupted transportation and logistics, and weakened trade corridors, the forum acknowledges that intra-regional commerce remains limited due to similar economic structures, weak production synergies, and incomplete market liberalization.

Persistent transportation and logistics obstacles, such as unequal infrastructure quality, fragmented asset management, and capacity mismatches, have inflated trade costs, the agenda stated. Inconsistent customs procedures, weak digitalization, non-harmonized standards, and inefficient border operations further impede cross-border flows.

Meanwhile, digital infrastructure, particularly cloud services, data centers, and AI applications, is rapidly evolving and altering connectivity and competitiveness. The Carec countries are progressing unevenly, with significant gaps in backbone infrastructure, digital skills, and regulatory coherence, necessitating bridging these gaps to effectively promote inclusive growth, resilient connectivity, and regional integration.

Multilateral development bank representatives, financial institution officials, high-ranking policymakers, business leaders, local government officials, and academics from Carec member nations are attending the forum to discuss policy and operational matters in areas like transportation, trade, logistics, energy, and digital connectivity, as well as to promote practical, sustainable investment in the region.