Punjab to develop Pakistan’s largest SEZ

LAHORE:

The Punjab government has decided to establish the largest Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of the country in Chaubara along the Muzaffargarh-Layyah road to boost economic activity in the underprivileged areas of South Punjab.

Ministry of Industry and Commerce has prepared a plan of action for the establishment of the mega SEZ, which will be developed on area covering 20,000 acres.

Official sources said the SEZ can be expanded up to 50,000 acres in the future, if needed.

Owing to the global economic meltdown as result of the coronavirus pandemic, a large number of expat workers are expected to return to Pakistan, therefore, the government has prepared a plan to accommodate the workforce in the economic zone in addition to creating jobs for locals.

Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar announced that the government would provide incentives to the companies investing in the SEZs.

“We want to transform Punjab into a hub of trade and economic activities,” he said. The CM highlighted that within a short span of two years, the PTI government had started work on 13 SEZs and industrial estates.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23^rd, 2020.