KARACHI: Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael has said that best facilities will be available to container ships after completion of the deep water port project, within two years.

This he stated while speaking to Information Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sindh Ali Akbar Gujjar in a call-on meeting here, a statement issued on Saturday said.

Michael said the PML-N government has started work on different projects for provision of international standard facilities at all sea ports of the country and those ports would play a role of “economic gateway of Pakistan.”

The minister said efforts were being made for an in-time completion of the ongoing development projects while new projects have also been launched for improvement of the shipping facilities at the ports.

He said construction of Port Tower Complex was underway, while initial work for construction of an Expo Centre, a modern shopping Mall and a hotel near Karachi port has been completed and these projects would be completed with the partnership of foreign investors.

A German company has showed interest in construction of iron and coal berths at a cost of $40 million while Chinese and Korean investors have also showed keen interest for investment in different projects related to ports and shipping, he said.

Eastern zone of Port Qasim would start functioning very soon, he added.

Kamran Michael said development of ports would generate employment opportunities and people to people contact will be strengthened between the provinces.