CNS message on the occasion of International Maritime Symposium-2022.

It is a matter of immense pleasure that National Institute of Maritime Affairs, is organizing 3rd International Maritime Symposium-2022 on the "Geo-Economic Dimensions of IOR - Opportunities for Region and Beyond". The subject is important not only for Pakistan but also for the regional and extra regional countries. I am confident that this Symposium would provide a unique forum to a wide range of speakers: from inland and abroad, the maritime community, policy makers, academia and other stakeholders to deliberate and proffer recommendations on issues related to the "maritime connectivity" and in particular, on its economic opportunities and maritime security dimensions.

The importance of Indian Ocean Region needs no emphasis since it provides major connectivity routes for global trade, and contains vast natural resources such as oil, gas, minerals and seafood. It is imperative for the IOR countries to cooperate so as to accrue maximum dividends from the immense maritime economic potential. Pakistani ports have the desired transit and trans-shipment potential to contribute significantly towards economics renaissance through maritime connectivity in the region and beyond, including the land locked Central Asian Republics, Afghanistan and Iran for which Gwadar Port is ideally located. In this regard, Gwadar Port, designed to be a deep draught port, will consolidate geographical linkages, stimulate trade and propel Pakistan into a position of...