Integration of technology in the process of development is very important for a sustainable future. Upgradation of skills and technical know-how of the labour will make the country more competitive in future, said Director General of the Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Qambrani while speaking at the seminar with the theme of “Gwadar and the Road to Sustainable Development.”

The seminar was arranged by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in Islamabad, reads a press release received by WealthPK.

Qambrani laid a lot of emphasis on the importance of technical skills and technological know-how of the labour of the country. He said, “the development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) should be complemented with the upgradation of skills of our labour. They need to learn new methods, techniques, and ways to operate modern technological equipment.”

He said that the “development of Gwadar smart port city is a manifestation of technological integration. It needs to be adopted at mass scale across the country where CPEC projects are underway. Modern methods of development and employment will create an attractive base for investors and foreign tourists.”

He said, “we are continuously learning from Chinese experience. The Gwadar port city is being developed on the same lines as Shenzhen in China. We are also strictly following the timelines for the completion of mega projects in Gwadar. Planning for the development of Gwadar took more than 5 years of intense deliberation between the partner countries of Pakistan and China.”

He informed the participants about the current mega-projects underway in Gwadar. He told them that the Gwadar international airport will be operational before 2023. “Plans are being made to make Gwadar a safe city on the same lines as Islamabad. Maritime tourism and the smart development of the city will attract a lot of tourists.”

The DG said that “energy problems are also being addressed through the launch of projects in energy self-sufficiency. For this purpose, oil and gas infrastructure is being established in addition to an agreement for 100-MW of energy signed with Iran. Railway tracks are also being laid down to connect Karachi with Gwadar.”

He added, “public-private partnership will get a boost after the inauguration of Central Business District in Gwadar. The total cost of the business district will be PKR 84-90 billion. It will generate a profit of PKR 400 billion. It will take 10 years to complete the district. For sustainability, we will develop solar parks and off-grid energy solutions to meet the demands of energy of the city.”

He told the participants that “water purification plants and desalination plants will become operational in 2023. Gwadar city has also been connected with two fresh-water small-dams to increase the supply of water but management issues still persist. We are working hard to resolve them. One window operation for facilitation of investors will be launched very soon under the separate governance structure agreed upon by the provincial and the federal government.”

Senior Advisor at China Study Centre Dr Hassan Daud Butt agreed with the DG of GDA. He said that “technology is going to fuel the growth of the future. If we do not adopt modern technology and if we do not upgrade our skill-set, we will be left far behind in the race for development.”

He said, “the world is moving into the fourth industrial revolution. We need to follow the example of Turkey and its financial system. Fortune 500 companies are proliferating in China and other countries of the east. We need to catch the bandwagon of development in Asia.”

Deputy Executive Director of SDPI Dr Sajid Amin said that the development sector and civil society organizations could play a pivotal role as knowledge partners and in the advocacy of the immense socio-economic potential of Gwadar.

He appreciated the efforts of GDA in developing linkages and research collaborations with think tanks and civil society to support and highlight the initiatives being undertaken in the development of Gwadar.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk