Islamabad: Qaiser Ahmed Shaikh, the Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, visited the National Institute of Maritime Affairs (NIMA) to emphasize the necessity of a strategic partnership between the Ministry of Maritime Affairs (MoMA) and NIMA. The focus of this partnership is to advance Pakistan’s maritime development and unlock the potential of its Blue Economy. The Minister expressed interest in promoting sectors such as Aquaculture, Green Shipping, Maritime Tourism, and Green Ship Recycling.

According to Press Information Department, during the visit, the Federal Minister received a detailed briefing on NIMA’s role in shaping maritime policy, conducting research, and advocating for Pakistan’s maritime interests. The briefing highlighted that Pakistan’s maritime economy currently accounts for less than 0.2% of its GDP, compared to a global average of 8-10%. The importance of NIMA’s ongoing partnerships with governmental, national, and international stakeholders was underscored as crucial for accelerating growth in Pakistan’s maritime sector.

In subsequent discussions, the need for a cohesive national action plan to harness the country’s maritime resources was identified. The Minister stressed the importance of coordinated efforts among MoMA, NIMA, and other maritime stakeholders to create a sustainable growth roadmap for the maritime sector. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting NIMA in advancing Pakistan’s maritime economy and emphasized that a collaborative vision is key to enhancing Pakistan’s position in the global maritime arena.