Gwadar has always represented more than a port. It is the anchor of Pakistan’s ambitions under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and a gateway to global markets. Today, those ambitions are taking another step forward.
Pakistan’s TECNO Group, in partnership with China’s MAYCOM Group, has announced a $12 million investment to establish a fishmeal and fish oil processing plant at Gwadar Port.
A Landmark FDI Project
The project reflects two powerful forces at work. On one hand, it is foreign direct investment, Chinese capital, and technical expertise being brought into Pakistan to build a facility on Pakistani soil. On the other hand, it is an export driver, transforming Pakistan’s sardines and small pelagic fish into high-value fishmeal and fish oil for China’s aquaculture sector, one of the largest in the world.
In its first phase alone, the plant will produce 15,000 tons of fishmeal annually, creating a structured procurement system for local fishermen and employment opportunities for coastal communities. With further expansion planned, it is a development that ties Gwadar more closely into international trade flows while lifting local livelihoods.
Strengthening Pakistan’s Export Base
Pakistan’s seafood exports reached $465 million in FY 2024–25. The government has now set a target of $600 million for FY 2025–26. Projects like this are designed to bridge that gap, moving Pakistan away from raw commodity exports and towards value-added products with greater resilience in global markets.
The symbolism matters. By linking Gwadar’s coastline to China’s aquaculture industry, the project transforms natural resources into a growth engine. It shows that CPEC is not just about roads and ports; it is about long-term industrialisation and export diversification.
Building the Broader Trade Corridor
The fishmeal venture was signed alongside other agreements covering sesame seeds, peanuts, cottonseed, and mineral exports to China, as well as imports of Chinese solar panels and energy storage systems into Pakistan.
This dual movement of goods, exports out, investment and technology in, illustrates how Gwadar is becoming more than a port. It is evolving into a hub of bilateral trade and industrial collaboration.
What This Means for CPIC Investor
For CPIC investors, the message is clear. The Gwadar they believed in is steadily taking shape. These are the first signs of the industrial base that will underpin the city’s future. When you invested, it was not because everything was finished. It was because it was untouched, a rare opportunity to be part of a place before the world caught up.
This new FDI-backed export facility proves that the belief was well placed. It reassures investors that Gwadar’s growth is not theoretical; it is unfolding in measurable steps. Each project adds weight to the story of resilience, opportunity, and long-term pride in being an early part of Gwadar’s transformation.
At CPIC, we remain committed to delivering developments that match the scale of Gwadar’s promise. The fishmeal project is one more sign that the world sees what our investors saw years ago: a city destined to connect Pakistan to global markets and to reward those who recognised its potential at the beginning.
CPIC is the market leader in Gwadar real estate, with projects designed for long-term value and international standards. To explore secure opportunities in Pakistan’s rising coastal city, connect with us today.