BEIJING – Several countries in the Middle East and Africa have expressedtheir intentions of joining the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aflagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), demonstrating theirconfidence in the potential of Gwadar.
A deep-sea port in southern Pakistan and a nodal point of BRI’s flagship,Gwadar is offering Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia an opportunity tore-establish their trading routes through the new global overture,according to an article published by China.org.cn.
Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan last year clearly voiced hiscountry’s interest in the CPEC and in investing in Gwadar.
Considered a leading voice of the Middle East, Saudi Arabia can marshal theregion to connect with Gwadar and access China’s markets.
The UAE has also been playing an encouraging role. Against the speculationsof certain circles which intend to pitch Dubai and Gwadar as rivals, theUAE started commercial shipping under the CPEC through Gwadar in March thisyear.
The container service, named Karachi-Gulf Express, connects Gwadar Portwith Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. The UAE has also been assisting inproviding amenities for the city’s community.
As a viable incentive to the oil-rich Middle East, a pipeline to transportcrude oil from Gwadar to China’s Xinjiang is on the cards.
The pipeline is estimated to transmit a million barrels per day with itsprovisional capacity.
As China fulfills almost 50 per cent of its oil requirements from theMiddle East, the pipeline will diversify its oil import routes. On theother hand, oil exporters of the Middle East will benefit from a cheaperand faster alternative to the existing route.
Xinjiang is the first Chinese region Middle Eastern and African traderswill encounter while trading through the Gwadar route. It has now becomeone of the BRI’s largest trading hubs.
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The train station in Urumqi, the autonomous region’s capital, runs on 19lines and reaches out to 17 countries in Asia and Europe. Handling up to3,600 tons of cargo each day, it acts as a vital junction for the routingof goods.
It is important to mention that Western interest in Africa has long faded.Today, China is not only the continent’s largest trading partner but alsoone of its largest investors.
Furthermore, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Africa this yearaccentuated the importance China attaches to Africa.
From Senegal on the Atlantic coast to Kenya on the Indian Ocean, Africa canfurther connect with China through Gwadar.
At the centre of three civilisations lies a city that came to prominenceafter China announced the revival of its ancient silk route under the BRI.
In essence, Gwadar has the backing of the world’s economic leader. Thecity’s strategically located deep-sea port is ready to offer riches of theSilk Route to those who wish to align with the Middle Kingdom.
For global trade’s front-runners who are on the lookout for the next bigthing, Gwadar is it.