ISLAMABAD (September 07 2007): With the approval of the Prime Minister, a Policy Board for development of shipbuilding industry in the country has been set up with Prime Minister as its chairman, with immediate effect and until further orders.

According to a notification issued here by the Planning Commission, the Prime Minister will be the chairman of the Board. Governors of Balochistan and Sindh, Minister for Port and Shipping, Minister for Defence Production, Minister for Privatisation and Investment, Minister of State/Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance, Chief of Naval Staff, Secretary, Ministry of Ports and Shipping and Managing Director Karachi Shipyard and Engineer Works as members of the board.

The Board may co-opt any other person as its member on need basis. The Terms of Reference (ToR) of the Policy Board are as follows:

i) The Policy Board shall provide policy initiatives for establishment and development of shipbuilding and marine industries in Pakistan.

ii) Specially, the Board shall facilitate the development of large shipyards at Port Qasim and Gwadar Port and ensure acquisition of land and provision of all related infra-structure.

iii) The Board shall facilitate and approve all joint ventures proposals received from leading shipbuilders of the world as well as equity participation of offers in context of shipyards at Port Qasim and Gwadar Port.

iv) The Board will ensure that the shipyards to be built at Port Qasim and Gwadar Port cater for shipbuilding and ship repair up to ULCC size as well as construction of off shore and on shore oil rigs.

v) The board will determine the policy on operation of shipyards at Port Qasim and Gwadar Port.

vi) The Board will facilitate the modernisation and up-gradation of the Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works. The Planning Commission will act as Secretariat of the Policy Board, it will conduct meetings and get its decisions implemented.