Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chinese Premier Li Qiang have virtually inaugurated the New Gwadar International Airport.

Addressing inaugural ceremony in Islamabad on Monday evening, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said completion of Gwadar International Airport is a gift from China.

He said it shows China's commitment and dedication to support Pakistan's economic development agenda and to promote backwards areas of country.

He expressed the confidence that completion of this international Gwadar Airport will not only transform Gwadar's economy, but also economy of the country.

Expressing gratitude to Chinese leadership, Shehbaz Sharif appreciated untiring efforts of Pakistan and Chinese engineers and workers for their efforts in building a world class airport at Gwadar.

Shehbaz Sharif said a signing ceremony and exchange of MOUs between Pakistan and China in various fields, including industry, agriculture and commerce was witnessed by Prime Ministers of both countries.

Prime Minister expressed confidence that these MOUs will shape into agreements very soon through joint efforts of both countries.

Earlier, several Memorandums of Understanding, letters, protocol and agreements, including export of animal meat to China, construction of Joint Laboratories, and Smart Classroom Project were exchanged between Pakistan and China.

Minutes of 13th Joint Cooperation Committee meeting of CPEC and 7th Joint Working Group on Gwadar under CEPC were also handed over.

Besides, MOUs to promote Cooperation of Livelihood Working Group of CPEC, strengthening cooperation in field of information and communication, promoting cooperation on water conservancy facilities, flood control and calamity reduction, and strengthening security cooperation were exchanged.

Furthermore, two letters of exchange on promoting human resource development and assistance programme of firefighting vehicles of Islamabad city were exchanged. 

Protocol to export animal meat to China, an agreement on co-production of TV progammes and signing of currency swap agreement between the People's Bank of China and the State Bank of Pakistan were exchanged. 

Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said his country will continue working with Pakistan to uphold the principle of planning, building, and benefiting together.

He said the New Gwadar International Airport is a critical step in building Gwadar into a regional hub of connectivity. He further said that Chinese and Pakistani workers built this modern and high-standard airport in five years, demonstrating the strength of China-Pakistan cooperation.

The Chinese Premier expressed confidence that the inauguration of the New Gwadar International Airport will significantly enhance connectivity in the Gwadar region.