By Maham Tahir

Gwadar’s emerging blue economy (spanning fisheries, aquaculture, port trade and renewable energy) is taking centre stage in Pakistan’s export strategy for 2025–2035. According to the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, sustained investment in marine industries linked to the deep-sea port could generate more than $850 million annually in export revenue, alongside improvements in food security and coastal livelihoods.

“The blue economy is essential for ensuring food security, increasing exports and generating employment across our coastal regions,” Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said while addressing stakeholders at the launch of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (2025–2035) in Islamabad on 11 August 2025.

Fisheries are central to Gwadar’s growth strategy. Although Balochistan’s 770-km coastline accounts for 76.2% of Pakistan’s shore, its fish output remains well below potential. Federal Maritime Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said Balochistan’s annual catch could reach 300,000 tonnes, generating around $645 million in exports if modern processing were in place.

“Gwadar has rich fish catch potential, and we must focus on local value addition to maximise benefits,” he noted.
Currently, 34 seafood processing units operate in the province, but most require upgrades to meet international standards.

To bridge the gap, the ministry has launched a 120-acre Aquaculture Park at Korangi (costing Rs3 billion) and plans to replicate the model on Balochistan’s coast. Output from the pilot park is projected at up to 1,200 tonnes annually, with revenue of $7.2 million depending on species farmed.

Foreign partners are also stepping in. The China Overseas Port Holding Company has partnered with a Chinese aquaculture firm to develop deep-sea fish farming near Gwadar, building on seafood exports to China worth $125 million in 2024. Meanwhile, the Balochistan government is setting up a fish processing plant in Gwadar and upgrading harbour facilities and roads to help fishermen reach markets faster.

Infrastructure upgrades are designed to position Gwadar as a regional logistics hub.
On 7 August, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs signed an agreement with China’s Xinning Enterprise to expand Gwadar Port and develop industries in the adjoining Free Zone.  Minister Chaudhry called the deal a “milestone”, saying it would “elevate Gwadar’s commercial handling capacity and generate valuable employment and investment opportunities.” The port’s South Free Zone now hosts a 2,000-tonne cold storage facility for seafood exports, while development of a larger North Free Zone is underway.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP) — Pak-China