KARACHI: Balochistan Governor Jaffar Khan Mandokhail on Thursday said transforming the province into an economic and trade hub was the government’s top priority, with special focus on Gwadar Port and the Bostan Special Economic Zone.
Speaking at a joint meeting with the Chinese consulate, traders and industrialists in Karachi, he said efforts were underway to strengthen Gwadar Port’s functionality and accelerate development in Bostan Economic Zone, while ensuring better opportunities for local businessmen and industrialists.
He said extending facilities and investment opportunities from Gwadar to Zhob would help reduce poverty and unemployment across the province.
The governor added that federal government support would be sought to secure additional resources and improve ease of doing business to materialise the development vision.
The meeting was hosted by Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade vice chairman Bilal Kakar. It was attended by Chinese investors, former caretaker chief minister Alauddin Marri, representatives of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Pakistan-China Economic and Cultural Council (PCECC) President Ba Yazid Kasi, among others.
The Pakistan-China Investment Seminar 2026 was highlighted as a key step towards boosting investment and strengthening economic ties under the vision of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.
On the occasion, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the Balochistan Board of Investment and Trade and the Pakistan-China Economic and Cultural Council to promote trade delegations, business-to-business linkages and joint planning.
Officials said the partnership would help further develop Gwadar Free Trade Zone, Bostan SEZ and Gwadar Port, and position Balochistan as an emerging destination for international investment.
