Pakistan to set up maritime chamber to boost blue economy, promote greener ports
KARACHI: The Pakistan government on Saturday announced the creation of a new Maritime Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) to promote sustainable development in the country's coastal and marine sectors, saying the initiative would help strengthen the country's blue economy while addressing rising climate risks at its ports.
Addressing the Pakistan Business Council Forum, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said Pakistan's coastal zones were increasingly exposed to environmental challenges such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events and marine degradation.
The new chamber, he noted, would serve as a specialized platform for uniting stakeholders from across the maritime spectrum to pursue greener policies and long-term economic resilience.
'This chamber will not only support investment and innovation in the maritime sector but also prioritize sustainability at ports, promote green technologies and foster carbon reduction strategies,' he told the participants of the forum.
Pakistan is striving to strengthen blue economy by ensuring the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, jobs and ecosystem health.
This requires the authorities to enhance the potential of its ports, fisheries, logistics and marine services while reducing environmental harm.
The new chamber is expected to provide a unified institutional voice for sectors ranging from shipping to coastal tourism, helping to align business incentives with climate adaptation goals.
Pakistan has been pushing to modernize its port infrastructure and expand its role in regional trade by improving cargo handling, digitalizing port operations and encouraging public-private partnerships.
The country has also invited landlocked Central Asian states to use its ports to access global markets, aiming to position itself as a regional trade hub.
The Pakistan Business Council welcomed the announcement, calling the new chamber a critical step toward building a climate-resilient and economically vibrant maritime economy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
10 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan Navy conducts exercise to counter sub-conventional, asymmetric threats to major ports
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy has conducted a comprehensive two-day exercise to counter sub-conventional and asymmetric threats to all major ports and harbors, its Directorate General of Public Relations (DGPR) said on Sunday, weeks after a four-day standoff with India. While air forces and armies of both countries traded jet, drone, missile and artillery strikes last month, the two navies did not reportedly engage each other during the four-day standoff. Media reports, however, suggested that Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant had maneuvered toward the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi, but Pakistan Navy kept it confined to the Indian territorial waters. The DGPR said on Sunday the naval exercise was aimed at validating and refining Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) to ensure robust defense of critical maritime infrastructure against 'evolving' asymmetrical threats. 'The exercise involved coordinated operations by PN (Pakistan Navy) Fleet units, Pakistan Marines, SSG (Special Services Group of Navy) and Naval Aviation assets,' it said in a statement. 'The exercise's scenarios were designed to simulate a range of sub-conventional threats including sabotage, infiltration and unconventional attacks, enabling participating units to enhance inter-agency coordination, situational awareness and rapid response capabilities.' During the exercise, Pakistan Coast Commander Rear Admiral Faisal Amin visited various operational setups at ports and harbors and witnessed live action simulations carried out by participating units. 'COMCOAST appreciated high level of preparedness and professional conduct demonstrated during the exercises,' the DGPR said. 'He emphasized the importance of maritime installations and added that secure functioning of ports and harbors is directly linked to national economic stability and growth.'
Asharq Al-Awsat
13 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Russia Accepts Taliban's Nominated Ambassador to Moscow
Russia has officially accepted the Taliban's nomination of an ambassador to Moscow, the Afghan foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday, as economic and political ties grow between the two sanctions-hit nations. Russia in April suspended its ban on the Taliban, which it had designated for more than two decades as a terrorist organization, in a move that paved the way for Moscow to normalize ties with the leadership of Afghanistan. No country has formally recognized the Taliban's government, which took over the country in 2021 as US-led forces withdrew. "We hope this new phase will allow both countries to expand cooperation in various fields," said Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban's acting foreign minister, in a statement. China in 2023 became the first country to accept a diplomat at ambassador level from the Taliban and several countries have since followed, including Pakistan which announced it would upgrade the position this week. Diplomats say formally presenting ambassadorial credentials to a foreign head of state signals a step towards recognition.
Arab News
13 hours ago
- Arab News
Pakistan reaffirms commitment to macroeconomic stability as Ipsos survey shows rising consumer trust
KARACHI: Pakistan on Sunday reaffirmed its commitment to macroeconomic stability after Ipsos, a Paris-based global market research and consultation firm, said consumer confidence grew in the South Asian country in the second quarter of this year. The Ipsos survey revealed a significant surge in consumer confidence, with 42% of Pakistanis now believing the country is heading in the right direction — the highest level recorded in six years. Perceptions of the economy being strong reached their most favorable levels since August 2019, and optimism overtook pessimism that marked a key psychological shift among the population, according to the survey. Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the 'encouraging' data reflected the success of his government's disciplined and targeted macroeconomic strategy implemented over the last 14 months. 'He highlighted that consumer confidence in making major purchases and investments has doubled compared to the same period last year, indicating that households are beginning to feel more secure in their financial prospects. Similarly, confidence in job security is now at its highest since 2019, a sign that labor market conditions are gradually stabilizing in response to pro-growth policies and reforms,' the finance ministry said. 'Senator Aurangzeb reaffirmed that the government remains committed to maintaining macroeconomic stability, accelerating structural reforms, and ensuring that economic growth translates into real and inclusive progress for all citizens.' The development comes amid stabilization of key economic indicators, including inflation, exchange rate, foreign exchange reserves and fiscal discipline, that has led a renewed public trust in Pakistan, which is currently on path to economic recovery under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) program secured in Sept. last year. Aurangzeb pointed out that this upswing in consumer confidence spans across urban and rural areas, and is particularly evident among youth and women, demonstrating the broad-based nature of the economic turnaround. He linked this optimism to sustained government efforts to create an enabling environment to enhance private sector growth, exports, social protection and financial inclusion. 'The findings of the IPSOS survey are a timely validation of Pakistan's economic direction and a clear signal that the country is on a steady path toward recovery and resilience,' the minister said.
