The Federal government has announced to set up the Chamber of Commerce building at Gwadar intending to boost business trade, commerce, and industry in the port city.
But, because of the poor performance of the Commerce Ministry in implementing infrastructure projects, the planning commission has suggested that the execution work of the construction of the Chamber of Commerce building at Gwadar would be executed by the Ministry of Housing and Works, as per the official documents obtained by the media.
“MoC has demonstrated a weak performance in adequately managing its PSDP projects related to infrastructure. Therefore, it is recommended for consideration that the MoC be made the sponsoring ministry, however, the Ministry of Housing & Works be made the executing agency to appropriately align roles according to rules of business and capability”, Member Private Sector Development and Competitiveness (PSD&C) replied to the response of the Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiative Ahsan Iqbal.
Read more: Afghan, Gwadar chambers of commerce explore Gwadar trade activities
In his statements, the minister had stated, “We should get PC-I prepared by suitable federal agency i.e. Board of Investment (BoI) to develop business-related federal government offices and a floor for Chamber because it will be an issue whether we can fund a Chamber out of PSDP”.
While responding to the minister, Member PSD&C said, “as per rules of business, organizations, and control of chambers and associations of commerce and industry rests with the Ministry of Commerce. It was also the MoC who presented the concept paper at the CDWP on the day. However, it is understood that the proposed project is pure of a construction/infrastructure nature. Further, MoC has demonstrated a weak performance in adequately managing its PSDP projects related to infrastructure. Therefore, it is recommended for consideration that MoC be made the sponsoring ministry, however, Ministry of Housing & Works be made the executing agency to appropriately align roles according to rules of business and capability”.
Moreover, the recommended project aims to encourage business interests in Gwadar and guide the government on matters regarding trade, commerce, and industry.
He said that only the construction part of the project would be sponsored by PSDP while land would either be given by the Balochistan government or Gwadar Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
