Gwadar Smart City master plan promises prosperity

GWADAR: The new Gwadar Smart City master plan predicts the city transforming into a trade and economic hub of South Asia, with a GDP per capita of $15,000 – 10 times that of Pakistan’s average.

The document, a 75-pager prepared by Chinese state-owned company China Communications Construction Company in conjunction with Pakistan’s Minister of Planning, Development & Reform and Gwadar Development Authority, claims that the population of the city is estimated to gradually exceed two million. Of that population, 80% are expected to be expatriate professionals with high-paid jobs.

The master plan incorporates factors such as high paid jobs, tax-free environment, high-tech industries, mega shopping malls, luxury resorts, man-made islands and Pakistan’s largest international airport in its blueprint.

Taking into account the above, the plan indicates that Gwadar may be well on its way to become the third largest city in Pakistan in terms of economic output.

Gwadar will require some 15,800 new homes by 2025, 47,600 by 2030 and 254,500 by 2050, according to the contents of the document.

“This project will be a game-changer for the people in the region,” said Governor Baluchistan Amanullah Yasinza. It will bring a lot of development and significantly raise the standard of living of the people of Gwadar. I am hopeful that this project will bring huge employment opportunities for the youth of Baluchistan.”

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