Shehbaz Sharif and Li Qiang Virtually Inaugurate New Gwadar International Airport
Islamabad, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a virtual inauguration ceremony on Monday for the New Gwadar International Airport, a significant infrastructure project aimed at boosting economic development in the region.
During the ceremony, Prime Minister Sharif highlighted that the completion of the Gwadar International Airport is a “gift from China,” showcasing the deep commitment and dedication of the Chinese government to support Pakistan’s economic development agenda. He expressed confidence that the airport would not only transform Gwadar’s economy but also contribute positively to the overall economic landscape of Pakistan.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the leadership of China, commending the tireless efforts of Pakistani and Chinese engineers and workers who contributed to the construction of the world-class facility. He noted that the inauguration also marked the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and letters between the two countries in various sectors, including industry, agriculture, and commerce, witnessed by the leaders of both nations.
In the lead-up to the inauguration, several agreements were exchanged, including those related to the export of animal meat to China, the construction of joint laboratories, and the Smart Classroom Project. The minutes from the 13th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the 7th Joint Working Group on Gwadar were also handed over during the event.
Additional MOUs aimed at promoting cooperation in areas such as livelihood, information and communication technology, water conservancy, flood control, and security were exchanged. Two letters focusing on human resource development and an assistance program for firefighting vehicles in Islamabad were also part of the discussions. Furthermore, a protocol for exporting animal meat to China, an agreement on co-producing television programs, and a currency swap agreement between the People’s Bank of China and the State Bank of Pakistan were also finalized.
In his address, Chinese Premier Li Qiang reaffirmed China’s commitment to working with Pakistan to uphold the principles of planning, building, and benefiting together. He noted that the New Gwadar International Airport is a crucial step in establishing Gwadar as a regional hub for connectivity. Premier Li expressed confidence that the airport’s inauguration would significantly enhance connectivity in the region, further solidifying the strength of China-Pakistan cooperation.
