KARACHI: The provincial government on Tuesday decided to establish small economic zones in every district and small industries at tehsil level to promote economic activities and employment in the province.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, who also decided to activate the Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA) to attract investment, facilitate investors, and ensure proper development at the Special Economic Zone.

The chief minister decided that the industries and investment departments, as well as SITE and SEZA, would collaborate to prepare a comprehensive plan for establishing small economic zones in every district and small industries at tehsil headquarters to promote economic activities and employment.

When the meeting was told that there were few applications for the establishment of private economic zones by the private sector, Mr Shah directed the SEZA officials to scrutinise the applications and submit them with their proposals. “We are keen to promote the industrial sector and it was a very good move that the private sector was coming over,” he said and vowed to encourage them and facilitate them.

The meeting was told that there were nine notified special economic zones in Larkana, Khairpur, Dhabeji, Bin Qasim Industrial Park, Korangi Creek Industrial Park and Naushahro Feroze Industrial Park of the federal government and Service Long March, PFB, Armstrong of the private sector.

The chief minister said all the nine notified special economic zones, including those under the provincial and federal government as well as the private sector, needed to be more productive with necessary facilities.

Mr Shah said that the SEZA was responsible for preparing zone applications, selecting developers, and coordinating with federal and provincial authorities to develop infrastructure.

The CM also approved the proposal for the appointment of professionals, such as accounts and finance manager, administration and human resource manager, information technology manager and legal affairs manager.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2024