KARACHI: The Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) is spotlighting Gwadar’s transformation into a regional maritime and economic hub at the Pakistan International Maritime Expo and Conference (PIMEC 2025), emphasizing the port city’s strategic role and Blue Economy potential under Pakistan’s coastal development vision.
The second edition of PIMEC was inaugurated Monday by Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal at the Karachi Expo Centre. Organized by the Pakistan Navy, the four-day event runs through November 6, bringing together participants from more than 44 countries to promote maritime cooperation, innovation, and investment.
Representing GDA, Deputy Director of Town Planning Abdul Razaq is leading the delegation, accompanied by Nasir Raja and Engineer Nazia Baloch.
The GDA pavilion drew wide attention from visitors, investors, and experts eager to learn about Gwadar’s development under the Smart Port City Master Plan 2050.
“Our participation at PIMEC reflects Gwadar’s rising profile as a smart, sustainable port city at the crossroads of global trade routes,” GDA said in a statement released Monday. “We aim to highlight Gwadar’s rapid transformation, its geo-economic significance, and the immense opportunities offered through the Blue Economy.”
GDA’s display features development models and visuals of ongoing infrastructure and coastal sustainability projects, showcasing Gwadar’s potential in logistics, fisheries, and tourism. The statement noted that visitors’ response was “overwhelmingly positive,” with many acknowledging the port city’s growing importance in Pakistan’s maritime economy.
During the inauguration, Ahsan Iqbal highlighted Pakistan’s vast maritime domain, noting its “1,000-kilometer coastline and an Exclusive Economic Zone of nearly 290,000 square kilometers.” He added that the maritime sector contributes “less than one percent” to GDP, compared with 4 to 7 percent in other maritime nations.
“Gwadar’s story is one of transformation and opportunity,” the GDA statement said. “Through platforms like PIMEC, we are promoting the city’s potential while fostering regional integration and sustainable growth.”
PIMEC 2025 features business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) meetings and the International Maritime Conference organized by the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA). The conference, themed “Harnessing Blue Economy Potential for Sustainable Development,” gathers experts to explore strategies for unlocking maritime resources sustainably. –Agencies
