Date:29/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/05/29/stories/2006052900310603.htm

Back Dubai group seeks to run Pak port

A Dubai-based investment group, Nakheel Group Investment of which Dubai Ports World is a part, is understood to have shown interest in running Gwadar port, Pakistan's largest deep-water port. The first phase of the port will be ready for operation within a few months, it is learnt.

A delegation of the investment group, during its recent visit to Pakistan, expressed a desire to enter into a long-term arrangement with the Pakistani Government for management and operational control of the port. Islamabad had earlier stated that it was in favour of leaving the operation of the port to an international port management company.

Also, it would like to develop the second phase of the Gwadar port on BOT basis. It might be noted that DP World operates one container terminal in India, Visakhapatnam, and has secured contract for operating another at Kochi and would control three other ports, Nhava Sheva, Chennai and Mundra, by virtue of its takeover of P&O Ports.

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