Lok Sabha Question No. 2244 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-08
Subject: Chabahar Port
Ministry: SHIPPING
Asked by: RATTAN LAL KATARIA, PINAKI MISRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SHIPPING

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2244 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8th MARCH, 2018

## LOK SABHA CHABAHAR PORT

## 2244. SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA:

SHRI PINAKI MISRA.

Will the Minister of SHIPPING be pleased  to state:

## qtaqf&rrnd*

- (a) whether operationalisation  of the Chabahar port in lran is likely to prove a gateway to golden opportunities to boost trade and business for lndia and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of countries with whom lndia is likely to develop trade and business along  with the quantum  thereof in view of operationalisation of the said port;
- (b) the extent to which the operationalisation  of this port is likely to contribute to bilateral and regional trade and economic development;
- (d) the details of products that are expected  to get boost for exports with the commissioning of the Chabahar port; and
- (e) whether any connectivity event involving all the stakeholders is proposed to be organised at Chabahar and if so, the details  thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SHIPPING (SHRI PON. RADHAKRISHNAN)

- (a)&(b).  Yes, Madam.  The location of the Chabahar Port on the south-eastern  coast of lran is expected to open up greater opportunities  for promotion  of trade and commerce, especially from the ports along lndia's western coast, with lran. Afghanistan,  Central Asia and beyond.

lndia's participation  in the development  of Chabahar  port  will provide  lndia an alternative and reliable access route into Afghanistan utilizing lndia's earlier investment in Zaranj-Delaram  road built in Afghanistan, and also a reliable and more direct sea-road  access route into Central Asian Region.

- (c) The Chabahar port will provide  opportunity  to trade with Central Asian courtries like Turkmenistan,  Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan etc. The commencemert  of operation in Chabahar  port and implementation of Trilateral Transit Agreernent will also greatly enhance  lndia's accessibility to land locked Afghanistan where lndia is immensely  contributing to its reconstruction and developnrent. Chabahar  Port has the potential  to become  a regional transit hub forAfghanistan and eastern Central Asian Countries.  lt is expected  that volume of trade will increase substantially on the commencement of operation at Shahid  -  Beheshti Chabahar Port.

- (d)  Products that are expected  to get boost for export country  / region wise are as under:

lran: Rice, finished metal  products  (steel, aluminium,  ferro- manganese),  siteel rails,  Soyabeans  and flour, seeds  (mustard'  cotton  etc.), tea leaf, Misc. types of paper, Cloth & fabrics,  Pharma products.

Afghanistan: Sugar, milk and bakery products,  medical apparatus' medlcines' grain (rice and wheat), fabrics (woven' synthetic,  polyester)

ClsCountries:Machinery,foodstuff,electricalequipment'Cottonfabric

- (e)Yes,Madam.Abusinesspromotioneventwiththeobjectiveofshowcasingthe iJonomi" opportunities  offered  by the Chabahar  Port, is proposed to be organized  at Chabahar by lran.