Saudi delegation visits Gwadar port, briefed on development projects
A six-member Saudi delegation on Tuesday visited Gwadar, where it was briefed on different developmental activities and projects being executed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), officials said.
Led by Ahmad Hameed Al-Ghamdi, adviser of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources, the delegation visited different departments of Gwadar port and the port's free zone.
During their visits, the Saudi team was given a briefing on CPEC projects linked to Gwadar port and projects being implemented by the Gwadar Development Authority.
They were also apprised of the facilities and security arrangements extended to investors by the Government of Pakistan, officials at the port told DawnNewsTV.
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The Saudi team showed interest in investing in Gwadar and expressed satisfaction over the facilities and security situation in the area.
During the visit, Al-Ghamdi was quoted as saying that there are historical, religious and brotherly relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan.
"Saudi Arabia stood with Pakistan in difficult times in the past and will do so in the future as well," the Saudi official told his Pakistani counterparts.
He added that the Saudi government is keen about contributing to the development process in Pakistan.
The Saudi delegation is in Pakistan on a four-day visit. At the conclusion of its visit, Islamabad and Riyadh are expected to sign four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) for oil and mineral sector investment and trade cooperation that would ultimately extend the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) from Gwadar to Africa through Oman and Riyadh.
Sources told Dawn Riyadh was expected to be allocated a large piece of land at Gwadar for setting up a 500,000 barrels per day (BPD) refinery worth over $9 billion besides an oil storage facility for 2-3 million tonnes as part of its plan to secure its export supplies. They said Pakistan promised 16 per cent return on investment in the oil refinery.