Staff Reporter
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Syed Ali Haider Zaidi held a virtual conference with the US Secretary of Transport Mr. Pete Buttigieg to discuss the matters of mutual interests.
The Federal Minister and the US Secretary of Transport initiated a dialogue between the two na-tions on transportation and logistics cooperation & challenges. Direct talks between them will result in enhancing opportunities for the country’s maritime sector.
Federal Minister apprised the US Secretary on the many initiatives taken by the Government of Paki-stan through Ministry of Maritime Affairs along with Cabinet Committee on Transport & Logistics.
Minister highlighted the challenges faced by Paki-stani seafarers destined to US ports. For which he requested the establishment of a dedicated window at the US Consulate in Karachi to help reduce proc-essing time for seafarers visas. The US Secretary of Transport acknowledged the issue and agreed to pursue the matter with the relevant authorities.
Potential partnerships and signing of Sister Port Agreements between US and Pakistan ports was also discussed in the meeting. Various investment opportunities for US companies in the logistics sec-tor of Pakistan were also talked about.
Minister Zaidi also presented an idea of a dedicated warehousing facility at Port Qasim specifically de-signed for trade between Pakistan and the US.
