ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development & Reform (PD&R), Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar has said that CPEC growth projections and investment thus far is built upon the successful development of Gwadar as the port city is a focal point for the corridor to take off.

He expressed these views while presiding over a steering committee meeting on Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan here on Thursday.

Secretary Planning, Development & Reform Zafar Hasan, Project Director CPEC, Hassan Daud and officials from government of Balochistan, Ministry of Maritime Affairs, Gwadar Development Authority, Gwadar Port Authority, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Climate Change, Board of Investment, and Chinese companies attended the meeting, said a press release issued here.

The minister was briefed about the progress of Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan. He emphasized on the need to determine the comparative incentives which can be given to Gwadar in order to give it a competitive edge in the region.—PR