Integrated Cargo Container Control (IC3) installed at Port Qasim Authority (PQA) is expected to be operational by February 7 this year.

The IC3 would help reduce cost of exports to the United States, besides being time efficient, the PQA Chairman Vice Admiral M. Asad Qureshi said in a press release issued here.

He said this follows signing of Declaration of Principles between the US and Pakistan on enhancing International Maritime Trade Security under IC3.

Briefing the visiting Economic Co-operation Organisation (ECO) delegates from Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhistan, Krygyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan who visited the PQA on Wednesday, he said the PQA is currently pursuing a large number of projects for capacity enhancement, industrialisation, and modernisation, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and undertaking major infrastructure development to further enhance efficiency.

Admiral Qureshi said the PQA is one of largest contributors to Pakistan's economy, has impressive growth in all facets of port operation and presently caters for more than 40 per cent of shipping requirements of the country.

He said PQA's three pronged strategy is to facilitate trade ie cost effective, time efficient port services, facilities, customer friendly approach and close liaison with port users.