Lahore: Federal Minster for Planning, Development, & Special Initiatives Asad Umar recently revealed that the government was committed to setting up four special economic zones (SEZs) in the country within this year’s time frame, a news source reported.
In a meeting with a delegation of the Rawalpindi Chamber of
Commerce & Industry (RCCI), the minister said that the establishment of
these facilities would help promote joint ventures between Pakistani and
Chinese companies working in the manufacturing sector.
Umar added that their focus was to enhance Pakistan’s industrial
capacity via joint ventures in priority areas, along with relocation of labour-intensive,
export-led industry, Small & Medium Enterprises (SME)’s collaboration, and
boosting vocational training capacity.
The minister directed the RCCI delegation to prepare a
three-year roadmap for industrialisation, as well as formulate a strategy for
the export sector by March 2020.
As per reports, Pakistan and China have finalised an agreement to develop nine SEZs across the country. Among these, both sides have agreed to complete three SEZs on a priority basis, which include the Allama Iqbal industrial Estate in Faisalabad, Rashakai in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Dhabeji in Sindh.
