Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Iran
India handed over six mobile harbour cranes to Indian Ports Global Chabahar Free Trade Zone (IPGCFTZ), a subsidiary of India Ports Global Limited Mumbai under the ambit of the Ministry of Shipping. The handover was made during the visit of Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush to Shahid Behestti port at Chabahar in Iran.
“The inauguration of the six mobile harbour cranes would act as a force multiplier for the operation of the Shahid Behesti Port and further fuel impetu to the development of the Chabahar port. The strategic role of Chabahar port to unlock trade potential in the regional trade between Central Asia, South Asia & South East Asia is huge. We are continuously working towards making the International North-South Transport Corridor the preferred route of trade between the two regions,” according to a ministry statement.
Both Indian and Iranian sides discussed the possibilities of trade and unlock trade potential between Central Asian countries with South Asian, ASEAN and even Far East countries like Japan and Korea. The Union Minister reiterated the role Chabahar port can play in reducing distance, time and cost. It was decided to form a joint technical committee for the smooth functioning of the port. The meeting also addressed the future course of action toward the development of the port.
Sonowal, said, “Our shared historical relationship has been the seedbed of Indo-Iranian bilateral relationship. The sustained engagement and all round efforts in the preceeding years provide an ideal platform for further expansion and deepening of the bilateral relation. India remains fully committed to developing the Chabahar port”.
Since India Ports Global Private Limited (IPGPL) assumed operations of Shahid Beheshti Port, it has handled over 4.8 million tons of bulk cargo. The trans-shipment of goods were from varied countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Germany, Oman, Romania, Russia, Thailand, UAE, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. With close cooperation between India’s IGPL and Iranian stakeholders including Iran’s Port and Maritime Organisation, Iranian Customs Administration and the Chabahar Free Zone Authority, Shahid Behesti Port Authority & other stakeholders, the Port is likely to act as a catalyst to unlock the huge trade potential in the region. The meeting was also attended by Sepahi, Provincial Deputy Governor and the Governor of Chabahar City, Ebrahimi, Interim CEO of Chabahar Free Trade Zone Organisation among other senior officials from Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India, the Indian Embassy and the officials from Islamic Republic of Iran.
