KARACHI, Nov 13: The Sindh government is planning to set up a number of industrial estates in the province in view of the keen interest shown by entrepreneurs to make investment by setting up their industrial plants.

In this connection, a summary has been moved by the Sindh Industrial Trading Estate (SITE) for allotment of land in different industrial estates, including those planned to be set up on the link road between Super Highway and National Highway, near Northern By-pass, Nooriabad, etc., it is reliably learnt.

In view of the increasing unemployment among youths, the government had chalked out a policy aimed at creating job opportunities in the industrial sector by attracting investors from within the country and abroad. Many overseas Pakistani entrepreneurs have shown interest in setting up industrial units in Sindh. Delegations of overseas Pakistanis recently called on Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad in this regard and were given presentations.

The delegations, it is learnt, are interested in making investment in high- tech units to produce consumer items of high standards in order to attract foreign buyers. This would not only create employment opportunities but would also help the country boost its foreign exchange earnings.

According to sources, the SITE has moved a request for allotment of 5,000 acres of land on the link road connecting Super Highway and National Highway in addition to 2,000 acres in Nooriabad for extension of the Nooriabad Estate.

Another request has been made for the allotment of 1,000 acres land in Hyderabad and 500 acres in Kotri for the extension of the respective industrial estates.

Besides, the Sindh Small Industrial Estate has already acquired 100 acres of land near Northern By-pass where the infrastructure development work with an estimated cost of Rs256.2 million is in progress and is likely to be completed with in 48 months.

Small industrial estates are also being developed in Mithi, Tharparkar, at a cost of Rs23.53 million; in Ghotki at a cost of Rs15 million; and in Naushero Feroz at a cost of Rs23.5 million.

In Hyderabad and Sukkur, extension of small industrial estates over an area of 50 acres is also under way and will cost Rs82 million and Rs million, respectively.