Chinese Government provides RMB 28.6 million grant for Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan Project

On September 9, 2016, the Chinese Government and the Government of Pakistan signed letters of exchange for the development of Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan that would transform the existing city into a modern port of international standards and a smart, sustainable city that can drive local, national and regional growth in the coming decades.

The Chinese Government committed RMB 28.6 million in grant funding for this project. A contract agreement was then signed on May 15, 2017.

Fourth Harbour Design Institute (FHDI) was the contractor responsible for implementation of the Gwadar Smart City Master Plan.

The company began working on the project plan in 2017, and it was sent to the federal government for approval after completion in December 2018.

FHDI reportedly recommended the application of Chinese city of Shenzen’s model laws and regulations over the entire area of 1,201 square kms in Gwadar Special Economic District (SED) instead of Pakistani laws and regulations.

In January 2019, local media sources reported that Chinese companies were frustrated over delays in the final approval of the plan by Pakistan's government.

These companies reportedly warned that increased costs due to these delays would be the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan. On March 25, 2022, Pakistan's Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (Mr. Asad Umar) told Parliament that the Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan Project had reached completion.