As one of the vital components of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework, the Gwadar Port is suited to act as a gateway for the region owing to its location, Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Tuesday.  "We see Gwadar as the harbinger of immense possibilities for regional cooperation and common economic benefits," he said.

Delivering a speech at Pakistan's National Defence University, Qureshi said the deep-sea port at Gwadar in the country's southwest Balochistan province can provide a short route to the sea for Central Asian countries and Afghanistan with the potential to be a regional trade hub.

CPEC is a flagship undertaking in regard to connectivity and Pakistan sees this framework as a game-changer not only for itself but for the region as well, Qureshi said.

He said many countries have expressed interest in participating in CPEC and Pakistan is open to third countries for investing in the special economic zones being developed under the framework, Xinhua news agency said. 

"This would bring to fruition our vision of regional connectivity and common development," the foreign minister added.