ISLAMABAD - The government has invited the tenders for the construction of the New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA).

The airport costing Rs 22 billion is said to be almost 40% complete while the rest of the construction will be finished in about two years time.

Total 4300 acres of land has been earmarked for the airport. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has been assigned responsibility for the execution of scheme on fast track basis. The airport would be developed as a major hub for all aviation activities in the region.

For this purpose, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Intends to Prequalify Firm(s)/Contractor(s) for the construction of Airside Works under two separate packages as follows:

Package - I: Runway, Taxiway, Apron and Civil Works

Package-II: Airfield Lighting & Electrical Works

Reputed firms having experience of executing works of similar nature are invited to apply for prequalification against both or any one of the above two packages and obtain a prequalification document from the office of the undersigned on payment of a non-refundable fee of Rs. 5,000/ (Rupees five thousand Only) in the shape of Pay Order in the name of Civil Aviation Authority, for each Package.

The notification issued by CAA reads: "The tender Application on the specified format provided in Prequalification.Document and duly supported by the requisite information/documents should be sent in sealed envelope, so as to reach the following address within thirty (30) days of the publication of the prequalification notice. Package No. should be indicated on top of each application. Foreign firms, if interested, can apply by including the participation of Domestic Contractor(s) under the joint venture."

Civil Aviation Authority reserves the right to accept or reject any application without assigning any reason thereof, it added.

Among the $493 million in deals signed during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to China, were two cooperation agreements worth $333 million for Gwadar airport and the establishment of Havelian Dry Port. A $160 million agreement on economic and technical cooperation for the East Bay Expressway linking Gwadar to Pakistan’s existing highway system was signed as well.