KARACHI: The provincial government on Monday launched Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Dhabeji, district Thatta near Port Qasim.

The 1,530-acre project has already been declared as a ‘priority special economic zone’ by the Government of Pakistan under the industrial cooperation phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

It is pertinent to mention that the senior officials of National Development Reforms Commission of China showed their satisfaction on the proposed mechanism of the project.

The zone will offer state-of-the-art infrastructure, utilities at the doorsteps and easy access to the Karachi Port and Port Qasim and the main railway line (ML-1) and also to National Highway.

“This is the most viable and well-connected industrial zone of the region that provides a gateway to Central Asia, South Asia, Middle East and Africa,” said a press release.

The Sindh government has launched this project through international competitive bidding process as a build-up to the upcoming 10th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting between China and Pakistan next month.

The federal government has already been committed to providing utilities including electricity and gas and budgeted a amount of Rs4 billion for a dedicated grid station.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2019