IMO Secretary General Pledges Full Support for Pakistan’s Maritime Growth

Islamabad-(Mudassar Iqbal)-International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General Arsenio Dominguez visited Pakistan to participate in the International Maritime Sustainability Exhibition and Conference (IMSEC). On the first day in Islamabad, he engaged in a breakfast meeting hosted by the Minister for Maritime Affairs, joined by Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the PM on Climate Change.

At a joint press conference, the Minister and SG Dominguez discussed collaborative efforts to address Pakistan’s maritime industry challenges. SG Dominguez expressed his commitment to supporting Pakistan in harnessing its maritime trade and ship recycling potential, emphasizing environmental protection and sustainable practices.

In his opening remarks at the conference, Minister Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh highlighted the global maritime industry’s shift towards decarbonization and the need for collaborative efforts to ensure environmentally sustainable and economically viable ship recycling practices. He also showcased Pakistan’s strengths in maritime training and its potential to address the global shortage of maritime professionals.

SG Dominguez reiterated IMO’s commitment to protecting the maritime environment and ensuring sustainable maritime trade. He emphasized the importance of safety protocols and international cooperation.

The conference aimed to address pressing issues in the maritime industry, promote sustainability, and foster international cooperation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar highlighted the significant potential of Pakistan’s blue economy to drive national growth and economic stability. Speaking at the International Maritime Business and Finance Conference, Dar emphasized the promising prospects in fisheries, maritime trade, and offshore resource exploration, including petroleum and gas.

In his address, Dar outlined ongoing efforts to boost Pakistan’s engagement in the blue economy. He pointed out that the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is working on modernizing the fisheries and shipbreaking industries through the adoption of advanced technologies. These initiatives aim to increase Pakistan’s share in the burgeoning blue economy sector, further supporting national economic development.

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In his speech at the International Maritime Business and Finance Conference, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar outlined significant strides taken by the government to support Pakistan’s blue economy. He announced the removal of sales tax on fisheries processing plants and fishery seeds to bolster the industry.

Dar emphasized the vast investment opportunities provided by Pakistan’s ports, noting that oceans are crucial for about 85% of global trade and are integral to achieving sustainable development goals. He described the Arabian Sea as Pakistan’s “fifth neighbor,” highlighting its importance in the country’s economic and strategic framework.

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Pakistan’s strategic geopolitical and geographical location presents vast opportunities for trade and investment in areas such as coastal tourism, aquaculture, biotechnology, energy, and health. Dar noted that efforts are underway to transform the country’s ports into key hubs for regional and international trade, emphasizing advancements in efficient green transshipment through the maritime single window system.

Furthermore, Dar affirmed Pakistan’s commitment to environmental protection in the maritime sector and sought collaboration with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to establish Pakistan as a prominent hub for the shipbreaking industry.

Highlighting the impacts of climate change on Pakistan like the 2022 flash floods despite the country’s minimal contribution to carbon emissions, the deputy prime minister said the government was committed to low-carbon alternative fuels and establishing green corridors.

He told the moot that as the government was taking several reformative measures like outsourcing major airports and privatising airlines with many investors in the pipeline for the ports industry too.

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