by Shafqat Ali

 

ISLAMABAD, Oct 8th (Gwadar Pro): Pakistan on Wednesday evening approved three new Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Islamabad, Punjab and Sindh, taking the total number of SEZs to 20 under the multi-billion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

 

The approval was given at the sixth meeting of Board of Approvals for Special Economic Zones, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad, said an official statement.

 

The three new Special Economic Zones include National Science and Technology Park, Islamabad, JW-SEZ China-Pakistan SEZ Raiwind, Punjab and Dhabeji SEZ Sindh.

 

The National Science and Technology Park (NSTP) aims to become a hub for public and private technological enhancement and development of human capital, to encourage knowledge creation at the cutting edge and develop organization, human and social capital to compete in the global economy.

 

It will focus on the Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Engineering, Automotive, Biotech /Biopharma /Medical Sciences, Banking and Financial Services, Defence Technologies, Automotive Engineering Chemical and Infrastructure Sectors.

 

The park will host a Research Commercialization Centre, University-Industry liaison nucleus, and event and recreational facilities.

 

A distinctive Knowledge Brokering facility is also planned, which will act as an Information intermediary to provide advice on selection of goods or services, business intelligence, or research data.

 

JW China Pakistan SEZ will be developed comprising 161.5 acres of land on Raiwind Road. Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar said the purpose of these SEZs was to ensure all the facilitation and concessions to industrialists and businesses.

 

Underlining the importance of these economic zones and industrial estates, the CM said that industrial estate of Rahim Yar Khan alone was eyeing an investment of Rs 50 billion and will likely ensure jobs to 125,000 people.

 

The provincial government of Sindh has allocated 1530 acres of land to establish Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) in Thatta. Utilities like electricity and gas will soon be available in the Dhabeji SEZs. The development of Dhabeji SEZ is planned in three phases.

 

Dhabeji has certain locational advantages including easy access to Port Qasim enabling raw material import and finished goods export without incurring major inland transportation costs and saving time.

 

DSEZ has the potential to transform into an Expatriate Enclave with modern infrastructure and fiscal incentive package. Sindh Economic Zones Management Company (SEZMC), Government of Sindh, is the provincial agency to develop and manage Dhabeji SEZ.

 

At the BOA meeting, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed that the provision of utilities such as gas and electricity in the SEZs should be accorded foremost priority by the concerned departments.

 

The meeting was attended by Minister for Industries, advisors on Commerce and Finance, Board of Investment Chairman, chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa - through video link - and Giglit Baltistan, federal and provincial officials and others.

 

It was informed about various incentives available for the developers, co-developers, and zone enterprises in the SEZs, a statement issued by the PM’s office said.

 

About SEZ Zone Enterprise Admission and Sale of Plot Regulations 2020, it was decided that further consultation would be completed within one month and the proposal would be brought before the next meeting.

 

The meeting also approved a proposal regarding the selection of two members from the private sector for inclusion in the Approvals Committee and appointment of two members from the private sector to be included in the composition of BOA of SEZs.

 

The Prime Minister directed that the provision of utilities such as gas and electricity in the SEZs should be accorded the foremost priority by the departments concerned.

 

He also demanded that a report indicating availability of required facilities at existing SEZs be finished in the next meeting.