The government wants to see China shift some industrial units of both smaller and larger scales to the special zones in an effort to provide employment opportunities for the local population. PHOTO: FILE
Sources told The Express Tribune that in order to ensure early implementation of the special zones programme, the government had designated four SEZs as a top priority for immediate groundbreaking.
These SEZs include China Special Economic Zone at Dhabeji (Thatta), Allama Iqbal Industrial City (M3) in Faisalabad, Rashakai Economic Zone on M-1 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and model ICT Zone in Islamabad Capital Territory for IT and related services.
The groundbreaking of the model ICT Zone will be held soon. This is part of government’s strategy to increase the share of IT and related services exports in total shipments from the country.
Pakistan needs to make CPEC an engine of innovation
In order to implement the strategy, the cabinet has recently approved an agreement for the ICT talent development programme between Huawei Technology Pakistan and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) aimed at boosting IT-related exports.
According to data compiled by the State Bank of Pakistan, the export of IT and related services increased to $1.067 billion in financial year 2017-18 compared with $939 million in 2016-17, registering a double-digit growth of 13%.
During the tenure of previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government, Pakistan’s overall exports had dropped $4 billion and the trade deficit had widened significantly.
Sindh SEZs receive Rs50b worth of investment
According to officials, nine potential sites in all provinces and special regions including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and tribal areas have been approved for setting up SEZs under the CPEC programme.
Each economic zone will target specific products and services based on availability of local raw material, workforce and other such factors.
Other such zones include Bostan Industrial Zone in Balochistan, Moqpondass Gilgit Zone, an industrial park on Pakistan Steel Mills’ land at Port Qasim near Karachi, SEZ in Mirpur and Mohmand Marble City in tribal areas.
The formulation of a policy for one-window operation to ensure ease of doing business will help attract investment in the special zones.
According to officials, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government wants the relocation of Chinese labour-intensive industries, but they should not damage the domestic industry.
The government also wants to see China shift some industrial units of both smaller and larger scales to the special zones in an effort to provide employment opportunities for the local population.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th, 2018.
Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ