April 28, 2007	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 10, 1428

KARACHI, April 27: The consultants hired by the federal government to carry out study for selecting locations for setting up special economic zones (SEZs) has recommended Dhabeji as the best place for SEZ in Sindh.

At a luncheon meeting held between the Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (Unisame) and James KU, the consultants hired by the ministry of finance and the US-AID, on Friday, it transpired that Dhabeji is the best location for setting up SEZs where SMEs could also grow and generate economic activity.

Muslim Abbassi, chairman, Sindh chief minister’s investment cell, on this occasion assured full cooperation of the provincial government in setting up SEZs and said without ensuring higher industrial growth, the province could not ensure employment to its youth.

James KU is currently visiting Pakistan to discuss overall economic scenario prevailing in the region and growth potential available with special reference to Sindh. He earlier met officials of the TDAP, SMEDA, BoI, EPZ and other organisations directly or indirectly involved with industrial activity in the province.

Zulfikar Thaver, President Unisame, highlighted the facts and the potential of the SMEs who, he said, were involved in various commercial activities.

He said there was ample land in Dhabeji which can be an ideal location for SEZs combining the incentives, economic benefits and tax relief which are the features of the SEZ. However, James KU pointed that there was lack of coordination between various government departments which retards rapid industrial growth. Furthermore, he said there was shortage of skilled manpower in Pakistan which is lagging far behind in human resource.