AD Ports Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pakistan Board of Investment to develop an industrial zone near Karachi Port and Port Qasim to facilitate trade and economic activity.
The signing ceremony was attended by H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
AD Ports Group also signed separate three agreements, aiming to strengthen trade and logistics, cementing Pakistan’s position as a world-class maritime hub and key maritime gateway to Central Asia.
Capt. Mohamed Juma Al Shamsi MD & Group CEO AD Ports Group
“We are pleased to sign these agreements as part of our commitment to supporting economic growth in Pakistan, in line with the vision of our wise leadership to advance relations between the two countries in a way that benefits both, providing new opportunities and achieving prosperity for the people of Pakistan.”
Al Shamisi also added that AD Ports Group aims to enable trade in the UAE and strengthen trade partners globally, particularly with Pakistan, which serves as the main gateway to Central Asia. By harnessing its expertise and integrated business offerings, it seeks to facilitate trade in Central Asia on a broader and more efficient scale.
The first agreement is signed between AD Ports Group’s Maqta Technologies and Pakistan’s PSW, aimed at strengthening Pakistan Single Window systems through collaboration with Pakistan Customs Services to modernize select borders and analyze cross-border systems.
The second agreement with Bahria Foundation, a Pakistan diversified conglomerate engaged in industrial, commercial and development activities, seeks to enhance the productivity of the dredging, marine services, and vessel pooling at Karachi Port.
The third partnership agreement, between the Group’s Noatum Logistics and KGTL, the Group’s joint venture with Kaheel Terminals, aims to explore providing comprehensive and integrated end-to-end logistics solutions over air, ocean and inland transport, as well as warehousing and distribution solutions including cold storage, to develop a corridor into greater Pakistan and Central Asia.
Pakistan plays a significant role in one of the Group’s strategic growth priorities in Central Asia as the maritime gateway of the “Middle Corridor” connecting Asia and Europe, where the Group has acquired maritime and logistics businesses in Georgia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
The redevelopment of the Port of Karachi, a key port with overland connections into Central Asia, will enhance the “Middle Corridor” into a modern and cost-efficient maritime sea route.
