QUETTA: The Balochistan Special Economic Zones Authority (BSEZA) in its meeting held on Monday reviewed the plan of establishing of 13 border markets at Pak-Iran and Afghan national boundaries and agreed to provide infrastructure including communication, water and power and other facilities with the cooperation of federal government.

The meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Jam Kamal Khan, approved the the agenda of the authority with some amendments after discussing in detail, which was presented by Secretary Industry and Trade, Ghulam Ali Baloch. A grant in-add of Rs40.7 million was also approved for the BSEZA and allowed to establish Balochistan Economic Zones and Industrial Estate Development and Management Company.

Rules and regulation, establishing technical section, vacancies of c-suite executives for the authority have also been approved. The meeting also okayed the building laws of Gadani, Hub and Bostan Special Economic Zones.

The meeting, while agreeing with the lease and allotment policy in the SEZ of Hub and Bostan, directed to ensure provision of basic infrastructure, including water, electricity, gas and other facilities.

The bylaws of economic zones were also approved and meeting was informed that the process of registration of BSEZA in the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan would be completed soon. The concerned authorities informed that in the industrial zone of Quetta, located at the eastern bypass, 70 units were functional and PC-1 has prepared to provide more facilities there.

The chief minister said that with the approval of investment policy at provincial level, the confidence of the industrialists would be restored.

He added that Balochistan is rich in natural resources, which are not utilised due to incompetency. “We have to take hard decisions if we claim good governance,” said Kamal.

He said the port facility is also available with the SEZs of Hub and Gadani, which will boost industrialisation there and increase the revenue of Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2020