PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has termed the Rashakai Special Economic Zone project as a flagship project of the current government for the development, prosperity and economic growth of the province.

Chairing a meeting of the board of directors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Special Economic Zones Authority (KP-SEZA) here in the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the chief minister directed the authorities concerned to complete all prerequisites and make all necessary arrangements well in time for the groundbreaking of the mega project by the end of the current month, according to a statement issued here.

He also ordered speedy work on the construction of approach roads of the Rashakai Special Economic Zone.

The chief minister said the Rashakai economic zone was a project of national importance, which would prove to be a milestone in the economic development of not only the province but the whole country as well.

He said with the establishment of the economic zone, thousands of new employment opportunities would be created in the province.

Mr Mahmood asked the relevant departments and other stakeholders to ensure the early completion of the respective work for the establishment of the economic zone.

He also ordered the completion of all processes for the establishment of Hattar, Buner, DI Khan and other proposed economic zones with the given timeframe.

Special assistant to the chief minister on industries Abdul Karim Khan, the industries secretary, principal secretary to the CM, members of the BoD and other relevant officials also attended the meeting.

The meeting reviewed action on the decisions made in the last board meeting.

The officials said the revised development agreement of the Rashakai Special Economic Zone had been submitted to the Federal Board of Investment, while the signing of the agreement is expected by the middle of the current month.

They said in line with a board decision made in the last meeting, the administrative control of the KP-SEZA had been transferred from the industries department to the KP Board of Investment and Trade.

The meeting also approved the reconstitution of the KP-SEZA board and the summary of the Zone Regulations for Rashakai Special Economic Zone for submission to the Federal Board of Investment to seek final approval.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2020