KARACHI, Feb 20: The development of Gwadar Port would make Pakistan maritime hub for the region linking the West with Central Asian States and offering north India the port facility through land route of Kokrapar.

This was stated by the chairman, Karachi Port Trust (KPT), Vice Admiral Ahmad Hayat at a dinner jointly hosted by Bulk Shipping & Trading and Seatrade Communications of UK at a local hotel late on Thursday evening.

He said before development of Dubai as a world trade centre, Karachi Port had been considered as a maritime hub of the region up to late 60s and early 70s. But this edge, he said, was lost as Pakistan failed to keep the development pace in port and shipping sector.

However, Vice Admiral Ahmad Hayat said that efforts were being made to regain lost glory by equipping the existing ports with state of art technology and developing Gwadar port.

He briefly explained the on-going development projects at the Karachi Port and said that two container termianls were being run by private sector and hoped soon bulk cargo container will be privitized.

The visitors were informed that during the glorious period of maritime the world historic cruiseliner 'Queen Elizabeth II' visited Karachi port, and the port authorities would welcome the ship again to Karachi port.

Responding to a point Chris Hayman, managing director, Seatrade of UK said that his shipping line had increased activity in the region to to become link between West and Central Asian States.

He also assured that cruise tourims in the region could be promoted by liners from UK having special quality and standard would start their service once the Gwadar port become operational.

Earlier, in his address of welcome, managing director, Bulk Shipping and Trading, Tariq Haleem stressed upon the need to explore the potential advantages for Pakistan in maritime activity.

Seatrade director of sales Andrew Callaghan said that the 2004 show was going to draw attention from the international community and that the exhibition was expected to be triple in size over the last year.

He said over 5000 delegates and visitors, representing ship owners, trading companies and charterers, ship builders, brokers, ports, ship agents, suppliers, travel agents, insururers of cargoes and ships are expected to attend and visit the exhibition.

The Seatrade Middle East Martime Exhibition, he said will provide the largest window-shopping of products and services for the maritime industries ever assembled in the region.