Investors urged to tap SEZs potential

CPEC Authority chairman calls it ‘win-win opportunity’

ISLAMABAD:

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority Chairman Lt Gen (Retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa on Thursday called on Singaporean investors to tap the huge potential of newly established Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Speaking at a webinar on “Investment Opportunities in CPEC-related SEZs” organised jointly by the Pakistan High Commission and the Embassy of China in Singapore, Bajwa termed investors’ participation in such zones a “win-win opportunity”. He added that Pakistan had a large young human resource and cheap labour force.

The CPEC Authority chairman said that the country was focused on industrialisation and development, adding that Singaporean investors could benefit from Pakistan’s potential. He said Singapore could be a role model for economic development in Pakistan as Pakistan’s government wanted to use the expertise of Singaporean investors, especially in the areas of science, technology and industrialisation.

Highlighting the importance and achievements of the megaproject, Bajwa emphasised that CPEC was a lifeline for Pakistan. The first phase, he said, was almost completed, which was largely meant to bridge energy and infrastructure gaps in the country. “We are now moving towards the second phase of CPEC with particular focus on industrialisation, tourism, science and technology, and agriculture.”

He stated that about 37 SEZs had been identified in Pakistan, of which nine were prioritised and four were shortlisted as the most important ones.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2021.

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