Investment in Gwadar: China to help build $3b LNG pipeline and terminal

The LNG pipeline will be extended from Gwadar to Iran for gas import when sanctions on Tehran are lifted. Its capacity will be one billion cubic feet per day. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: The $45-billion worth of agreements signed by Pakistan and China earlier this month included a multibillion-dollar LNG pipeline and terminal deal, which will work as an alternative to the troubled gas import project with Iran as the pipeline will be extended to the Gulf state after international sanctions are lifted.

“The agreement was signed during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to China. It is a state-to-state deal and no bidding will be held for the award of contract,” an official told The Express Tribune.

According to initial estimates, the project is expected to cost $3 billion – $1 billion will be needed to lay the pipeline from Gwadar and over $2 billion will be required to construct the terminal with liquefied natural gas (LNG) handling and re-gasification facilities and to develop large storages.

China will meet 85% of the financing needs for constructing the LNG pipeline from Gwadar Port to Nawabshah.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources is seeking the support of economic decision-makers for relaxing the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) rules.

“The ministry will approach the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to win its approval for easing PPRA rules,” the official said. “This will clear the way for direct award of a lucrative contract to a Chinese state-owned company.”

This will be the second LNG terminal in the country as a fast-track terminal is already being built by Elengy Terminal Pakistan Limited (ETPL) at the Port Qasim, which is likely to be completed in February next year.

The LNG pipeline will be extended from Gwadar to Iran for gas import when sanctions on Tehran are lifted. Its capacity will be one billion cubic feet per day.

The pipeline will have the same specifications that were proposed for the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline including a diameter of 42 inches.

According to officials, since Pakistan has not been able to lay a 781km pipeline from the Iranian border to Nawabshah because of its failure to tap foreign finances, it has decided to build the pipeline from Gwadar to Nawabshah in partnership with China.

This will transport at least 500 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) after re-gasification of imported LNG.

Hopes were high as the US and Iran were engaged in crucial negotiations to settle the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear programme with a strong possibility that they would reach a compromise, officials say.

The economic decision-makers have already made their mind that before the curbs are removed they will not push ahead with the gas pipeline project with Iran to avoid its repercussions for Pakistani companies.

The terminal planned at the Gwadar Port will have the capacity to handle 690 mmcfd of LNG. Apart from this, large storages will be constructed at the port from where the LNG, after re-gasification, will be transported to Nawabshah, where it will be injected into the national gas network.

Debate: Should Manuel Neuer finish in the Ballon d'Or top three?

There is a big campaign in Germany pushing for the Bayern Munich goalkeeper to at least make the podium - so does the World Cup winner really deserve to make the final three?

DEBATE
By Falko Bloding and Joe Wright

No goalkeeper has won the Ballon d'Or since the iconic Lev Yashin back in 1963. Legends such as Gordon Banks, Dino Zoff, Peter Schmeichel, Gianluigi Buffon and Sepp Maier have all failed to claim the award.

Former Germany star Maier recently complained that goalkeepers are often overlooked, and sniped that it would be another injustice if countryman Manuel Neuer doesn't take the prize this time around.

"Blind people will have decided who wins the award if Neuer doesn't win the Ballon d'Or this year," Maier moaned to AZ.

These comments have been part of a big media push in Germany for this summer's World Cup hero to at the very least finish in the top three when the 2014 Ballon d'Or winner is announced in January.

So, having already been included on the 23-man shortlist, does Neuer deserve to make it onto the podium?Goal's Falko Bloding and Joe Wright go head-to-head on the issue...

"NEUER MAKES DEFENDERS AHEAD OF HIM BETTER"

By Falko Bloding

Right after Germany won the World Cup final at the Maracana, there was a famous picture circulating on social media. It showed Manuel Neuer and Lionel Messi receiving their awards for best goalkeeper and best player of the tournament. At the bottom it read: "Here you can see the best keeper and the best player at the World Cup. Next to him: Lionel Messi." The image went viral - not because it was a joke, or an exaggeration - it was the truth.

Neuer shone on the biggest stage of all in Brazil. He had memorable matches against Algeria and France in the knockouts - saving his team at crucial moments and proving he is the best in his position. He also helped transform the way goalkeepers play and is now the archetypal 'Sweeper Keeper'.

The former Schalke man makes the defenders ahead of him better. They know they can rely on him. His two head coaches, Pep Guardiola and Joachim Low, deploy an extremely high backline and Neuer's style is perfectly suited to it. You cannot underestimate how difficult his task is; he only ever faces a few shots on goal each game, but his concentration levels are fantastic. He is a leader for club and country. 

In 2014, Neuer did not only win the World Cup but also the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal. He reached the Champions League semi-finals and was named Germany's Footballer of the Year for the second time. He also placed second in the Uefa Best Player award, behind only current Ballon d'Or holder Cristiano Ronaldo.

It is about time Fifa recognises this brilliant goalkeeper when the Ballon d'Or trophy is handed out.

"NEUER HAS TEAM-MATES WHO HAVE BEEN MORE DECISIVE"

By Joe Wright

"After some 

games

 this season I haven't needed to have a shower," Manuel Neuer confessed in 2013. "Yes, I guess sometimes it is boring being in goal."

The comment was light-hearted, but it sums up why there are more deserving candidates for the Ballon d'Or final three. Neuer simply isn't tested enough. He is protected by football's two finest teams from the past 18 months in Bayern Munich and Germany. Both sides dominate play to such an extent that Neuer is frequently seen wandering close to the halfway line in an effort to become more involved in the action. Even in the World Cup final in July, he did not have a single save to make.

Neuer is undoubtedly the best goalkeeper in the world, but he is not a God-like figure. He does make high-profile mistakes. He misjudged Gareth Bale's cross for Karim Benzema's first-leg goal in the Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid and allowed a Sergio Ramos header and Cristiano Ronaldo shot to pass right through him in the return leg. He has also conceded seven goals playing for Germany since the World Cup as Joachim Low's side struggle to cure their Brazil hangover.

Some of Neuer's team-mates have done more to join favourite Ronaldo on the podium. Philipp Lahm, reinvented as a midfielder, has captained club and country to astounding success. Thomas Muller has proved he is the ultimate big-game player and was directly involved in eight of Germany's goals at the World Cup. Meanwhile, Arjen Robben has consistently been Bayern's finest player for the past year and was 

inspirational

 in dragging an average Netherlands side to third place in Brazil.

"I'm not some guy who poses in his underpants," joked Neuer recently when explaining why his public 'image' could penalise him with the Ballon d'Or voters. But the reason Ronaldo, Lahm, Muller and Robben have hogged the limelight more than Neuer in 2014 is because they are more deserving of it.

Reus exit would be the knockout blow for Dortmund, says Kahn

The ex-Germany goalkeeper has questioned BVB's ability to bounce back if the attacker leaves them for Bayern in the summer of 2015

Oliver Kahn believes it would effectively end Borussia Dortmund's ambitions of challenging for the Bundesliga title if Marco Reus were to leave the club for Bayern Munich at the end of the season.

The Germany international has a contract with BVB until June 2017, but has a limited fee release clause that allows him to leave for €25 million in the summer of 2015 and Bayern are closely monitoring the 25-year-old's situation.

The reigning Bundesliga champions previously already signed Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski from Dortmund and Kahn feels it would be the knockout blow if they signed Reus, too.

"It would probably be the knockout blow if Reus would now leave Dortmund for Bayern as well," Kahn told reporters.

"It would not just hurt Dortmund on the pitch. You should not underestimate things like this. It would be a huge blow for a club like Dortmund.

"It would also affect them psychologically and leaves them wondering why they cannot hold on to their best players."

Reus picked up a serious ankle injury in his side's 2-2 draw with Paderborn at the weekend and will be out of action for the remainder of 2014.

The attacker has netted six goals in 11 appearances in all competitions so far this term.

Alonso: Bundesliga much quicker than La Liga

The ex-Spain international is impressed by the pace of the German game and has stressed Bayern want to win the Champions League this term

Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso feels the Bundesliga is much quicker than La Liga and added that playing in the German top flight reminds him of his time in the Premier League.

The 32-year-old enjoyed successful spells with Liverpool and Real Madrid, winning the Champions League with each club, before joining Bayern ahead of the 2014-15 campaign and he has no regrets over his decision to move to the Allianz Arena side.

"The Bundesliga is much quicker; it's more physical than La Liga, which is more technical," the midfielder told Uefa.com.

"I've said a few times the Bundesliga is closer to the Premier League than the Liga.

"But the atmosphere and the stadiums are fantastic, and that plays a big role in how attractive it is for a player."

The experienced midfielder then went on to discuss Bayern's Champions League ambitions and insisted that they are determined to go all the way.

"Last year Bayern were really close to getting to the final. In recent years they have had great runs and hopefully this will be another great year.

"But the expectations are to win it; you know you are coming into a club with the highest expectations. It's a great responsibility, a great pressure for us."

Alonso also took the time to praise Bayern coach Pep Guardiola.

"Pep tries to improve in each training session. For every game, he tries to bring new things to the team, to add new concepts.

"That makes it special, because even [having played] for years with different managers, you feel he brings something different to the team."

Dortmund stopped me joining Real Madrid - Gundogan

The midfielder is determined to recapture his top form following his injury nightmare and has his eyes set on a move to a major club in England or Spain

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has revealed the club once turned down a transfer bid fromReal Madrid.

The Germany international became one of the hottest properties in Europe in the 2012-13 season thanks to his performances both in the Bundesliga and Dortmund's run to the Champions League final.

A back injury has since blighted his career, with Gundogan forced to miss most of the last 18 months of football, including Germany's successful campaign at the World Cup this summer.

However, the 24-year-old is determined to recapture the form that led Madrid to make a move for his services and says his heart is set on joining a major club in England or Spain in future.

"Real Madrid made a bid but my club didn't want to accept it. I was under contract for two more years," he told TRT.

"My injury broke my plans. I didn't play for 14 months. Now I want to make up for this time with success. One day, I'll leave here, I want to play for one of the big teams in Spain or England."

Gundogan is also desperate to enjoy success at Euro 2016 after missing out on Brazil this summer and says he still hopes to get his hands on the World Cup trophy.

"I was not supposed to be injured for the World Cup. I would have been in the first XI," he said.

"We were very good and it went to plan. I'm sad I didn't realise my dream but I have Euro 2016 in front of me. I want to add a World Cup in my career.

Debate: Messi v Raul - who is the bigger Champions League legend?

he Argentine is now level with the Real Madrid icon on 71 strikes in Europe's premier club competition, but which of the two has had the greatest impact on the tournament?

By Ben Hayward & Kris Voakes

Both players are synonymous with the Champions League. Raul Gonzalez won three titles with Real Madrid between 1998 and 2002, while Lionel Messi has also claimed the coveted trophy thrice in his career at Barcelona.

Raul was just 20 when Madrid beat Juventus to win their seventh European Cup crown (their first in the Champions League era) in 1998. The first in colour, as it is often described in Spain, following previous triumphs in 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1966.

The striker then scored a memorable breakaway goal in the 3-0 final win over Valencia in 2000 and added another as Madrid claimed the title again in 2002 with a 2-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen. And en route to those triumphs, there were also crucial strikes against more of Europe's elite, such as Bayern Munich and Manchester United.

Messi, meanwhile, was still a teenager when Barca were proclaimed champions in 2006 and sat out the latter stages after picking up an injury against Chelsea earlier in the competition.

Nevertheless, the Argentina attacker played a starring role in the 2009 win as he headed home the second goal to seal victory for Barca over Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo in Rome. And two years later, he put Sir Alex Ferguson's side to the sword once again with a superb strike in the 3-1 Wembley win.

Now with 71 goals apiece in Europe's premier club competition and also three titles each, both players have made an indelible impact on the Champions League. But which of the two is the tournament's bigger legend? Here, two Goal writers go head to head on the matter ...

"MESSI SAVES HIS BEST FOR THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE"

 
By Ben Hayward

When his playing days are over, Lionel Messi will be remembered for so many magical moments in a Barcelona shirt - but the Argentine attacker always seems to save his very best for the Champions League.

Although not a pivotal part of Barca's win in 2006, the forward made the world sit up and truly take notice in 2009 as he headed home his side's second against Manchester United in Rome. Before that game, the talk had been focused on his duel with Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese, many believed, was the more complete player - yet it was the Argentine who won the match with a rare and brilliant header past Edwin van der Sar.

In 2011, his contribution was even greater. Drawn against Real Madrid in the semi-finals, Messi silenced the Santiago Bernabeu with both goals for Pep Guardiola's side in a 2-0 win and the second is considered by many his best Barca goal as he dribbled past several players before slotting superbly past Iker Casillas.

In the final, he followed up with another special strike as he hit home from long-range against Manchester United in the 3-1 Wembley win to seal a third title for the Catalan club in the space of five seasons.

But that's just the tip of the iceberg. His fantastic four-goal show against Arsenal in 2010 saw him decribed as a "Playstation" player by Arsene Wenger, while his five versus Bayer Leverkusen in 2012 is a competition record and he is also the only player to have hit four hat-tricks in the Champions League.

So while Raul's role in Madrid's success was important, Barca's success in the Champions League under Pep Guardiola would have been unthinkable without Messi.

"Without Leo we would have been competitive," Guardiola once said. "But we wouldn't have been able to achieve all that we did."

That is certainly true and at the age of 27, the Argentine is set to smash Raul's record (along with Cristiano Ronaldo, who is on 70 strikes in the competition) if he stays at Barca for the coming campaigns.

Raul is a Champions League legend, but Messi is on another level.

Follow Ben Hayward on 

"RAUL'S IMPACT IN EUROPE IS OFTEN FORGOTTEN"

By Kris Voakes

In time, Lionel Messi may well become the undisputed king of Champions League football. After all, time is very much on the 27-year-old’s side.

But when you are in the midst of one generation, it is sometimes difficult to remember those of times gone by. With Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo having made a two-player duel of the modern game, the achievements of Raul have been belittled by many who forget just what an impact he had on European football.

At a time when the Champions League boasted far greater quality in opposition defences, Raul negotiated stars such as Paolo Maldini, Matthias Sammer, Jurgen Kohler, Roberto Ayala, Alessandro Nesta and Paolo Montero on his way to 71 goals over a period of almost a decade and a half.

Such fantastic depth in defences meant that Raul’s career was one forged at a time when even the very best strikers were limited to 25 goals a season. Yet the ‘King of Spain’ was the star man of that Champions League era.

He was a goal hero in two of Real Madrid’s three final wins between 1998 and 2002, but more than that he continued to find the net as times became tougher for the previously all-conquering Spaniards. The Decima which was eventually attained in 2014 became such an infamous target of the club’s exactly because they’d fallen from such massive heights, yet Raul didn’t fall one bit.

He was still scoring with as unerring regularity in his final Champions League campaign with Schalke in 2011 as he had been for most of his spell with Real Madrid. And he did so without any of the teams in which he played being built around him.

Not once between 2004-05 and 2009-10 did Madrid reach anything further than the round of 16, yet that didn’t affect Raul’s ability to find the net. Indeed, he became more of an all-round striker as his career went on.

It mattered not that he had gone from being served by Zidane, Figo, Redondo and Beckham to feeding off the comparative scraps supplied by Drenthe, Baptista and Diarra. Raul continued to develop as a forward, adding more guile to his previous persona as a poacher.

So Messi might be the star of a free-scoring generation, but Raul was the king when goals were far less easy to come by.

Pakistani firm targeting global expansion

Plagued by energy crisis and security concerns, aggressive business expansion is not on the agenda of many in the country. STOCK IMAGE

KARACHI: 

Pakistan hardly makes the news for positive developments. An aura of negativity has crept in with most failing to acknowledge the good that comes along every now and then.

Businesses in Pakistan face the same issue. Plagued by energy crisis and security concerns, aggressive expansion is not on the agenda of many.

However, the country’s e2e (end-to-end) Supply Chain Management (SCM), as part of its global expansion plan, has established premises in Singapore in a bid to tap into important emerging markets in Southeast Asia.

The company’s strategy is to enter the economic hubs of their respective regions, says its chief.

“The e2e management has long been committed to the high growth in Southeast Asia Market. We see Singapore as a strategic economic hub,” e2e SCM’s Chief Executive Officer Abid Butt said, adding that the new office would focus on Pakistan-based businesses [their prevailing clientele] and explore new business opportunities in emerging markets that are controlled from Singapore.

Establishing an office in Singapore is an important step towards opening future avenues into markets of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand, the CEO said.

However, this development is only a small move towards implementing the bigger game plan —planning to expand its operations in other economic hubs in the Middle East and Far East regions.

“As part of our aggressive expansion plans, we are launching our Dubai office in December and going to Hong Kong next year,” the CEO told The Express Tribune in a telephonic interview.

“Our objective is to become a global player and the best strategy to achieve this goal is to enter the regional economic hubs and expand from there,” the INSEAD graduate said responding to a question about the company’s growth plans.

The CEO explained that the purpose of going to places such as Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong is simple — you can control other markets from these economic hubs. Giving an example, he said a lot of business decisions regarding Indonesia are taken in Singapore, not in Indonesia. “I have been to these places and I know the importance of being there.”

Acknowledging the challenges associated with entry to a mature market, Butt said, “It is our second strategy, which is focused on reducing the business risk.

“Our global competitors are expanding into frontier markets in Africa but we are already in a frontier market. It doesn’t make sense to enter another frontier market, which will only increase the risks.”

This may not be a bad strategy as the company already got off to a humble beginning in Singapore.  “Our volumes in Singapore are already close to 20% of our Pakistan turnover,” Butt said.

Though it will be challenging for a new player to grab a share in the far more developed markets of Singapore, Dubai and Hong Kong, Butt’s strong international background in the logistics and supply chain areas is likely to help him.

It was his international exposure and expertise that helped e2e grow its revenues by a massive 1,918% between 2008 and 2010 and become the Pakistan’s fastest growing company on the list of AllWorld Network, an international ranking system for growth companies in emerging markets.