Pak, Belgium to launch student exchange, port upgrades

ISLAMABAD, Sep 02 (APP):Pakistan and Belgium have agreed to deepen maritime institutional cooperation, expand student training and exchange programs beside exploring new avenues in port development and the blue economy during a meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Belgian Ambassador Idesbald Van der Gracht here on Tuesday.

The meeting, held at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, focused on forging stronger institutional linkages between the two countries’ maritime sectors, with particular emphasis on maritime education, professional training, port infrastructure and knowledge sharing.

Mr Chaudhry said the Pakistan Marine Academy was being upgraded into a degree awarding institution, with most of the work on the initiative already completed.

He said Pakistani students could benefit from training and educational opportunities at Belgian maritime institutions.

A proposed student exchange programme would enable young people from both countries to gain exposure to each other’s maritime expertise, practices and professional experience.

The minister said Pakistan and Belgium had considerable scope for collaboration in the marine sector, adding that closer institutional ties and the exchange of technical expertise could help unlock the potential of their respective blue economies.

The talks also covered Pakistan’s ambitious plans to expand and modernise its port infrastructure and enhance the country’s role as a regional maritime and trade hub.

Chaudhry said the government was seeking to increase transshipment activity at Pakistani ports while pursuing projects aimed at broadening their commercial and industrial footprint.

At Port Qasim, these projects included a multipurpose terminal, an automobile zone and a garment zone.

The automobile zone would also undergo refurbishment, while the garment zone would facilitate the development of an industrial park.

The minister said an energy city was also planned to provide storage facilities for oil producing countries, including white oil, crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas.

At Karachi Port Trust, the government was pursuing the development of on dock and off dock terminals to further strengthen port operations and handling capacity.

Mr Chaudhry said Pakistan also intended to leverage Gwadar Port to improve regional connectivity by linking it with Central Asian states, potentially opening fresh corridors for trade, transit and logistics.

He highlighted Pakistan’s strategic location and expanding maritime infrastructure as a strong platform for international partnerships in shipping, logistics, port services, maritime education and other segments of the blue economy.

The Belgian ambassador and the minister agreed to intensify institutional contacts and identify practical and mutually beneficial avenues of cooperation, signalling a growing convergence between Pakistan and Belgium in the maritime domain.