The government has developed 10 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in various sections of Punjab in order to stimulate the manufacturing sector, increase export diversification, and boost the country’s economy.
Dawn learned on Thursday that the construction of four more SEZs is about to begin, pending approval from authorities. Land has also been set aside for the city’s first Special Technical Zone (STZ), which will promote the services sector.
When contacted by Dawn on Thursday, an official from the Punjab Board of Investment and Trade (PBIT) said, “10 SEZs have been completed, including the Allama Iqbal Industrial City (AIIC) near Faisalabad, where the Chinese plan to invest by establishing industry under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.” According to an official document, the SEZs completed included Rahim Yar Khan Industrial Estate, Bhalwal Industrial Estate (Sargodha), Vehari Industrial Estate, Rachna Industrial Park (near Sheikhpura, Lahore), M-3 Industrial City (Lahore-Faisalabad Motorway), SEZ Oil Village (Rawalpindi), Value Addition City SEZ, Faisalabad, Quaid-e-Azam Apparel & Business Park (QAABP), JW China-Pakistan SEZ (Lahore) and AIIC (Faisalabad).
