ISLAMABAD: The Board of Investment has identified 41 sites for establishing special economic zones (SEZs) to boost the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Reform was informed on Tuesday.

The committee’s meeting was presided over by Abdul Majeed Khan Khanan Khail.

“We need to pave the way for export-oriented businesses to reap full benefits of the CPEC,” Mr Khanan Khail said, adding that the committee would like to know what incentives were available for local investors as there were rumours there were little benefits for them.

The committee was informed that seven SEZs had been notified by the BOI so far.

It was informed that there was no difference between incentives given to local and foreign investors in the SEZs.

The BOI has devised a comprehensive plan for development and management of an industrial park under the CPEC incentives for both local and foreigner investors in the SEZs.

The committee was informed that the 41 sites had been selected after consultations with the provincial, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan governments and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas secretariat.

The members recommended setting up of vocational and technical training centres in the zones for local people.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2017

Opinion

Enter the deputy PM

Enter the deputy PM

Clearly, something has changed since for this step to have been taken and there are shifts in the balance of power within.

Editorial

All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...
Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...