KARACHI, Sept 3: Chairman Standing Committee on Industries and Production Senator Akram Wali Muhammad on Friday visited Karachi Export Processing Zone and appreciated the role of EPZA in accelerating the exports.

He was accompanied by other members of the committee including Senator Delawar Abbas, Senator Wali Muhammad Badini and Senator Amin Dadabhoy. Chairman Export Processing Zone Authority Lt. Col. (Retd) Akbar Hussain briefed the committee members regarding working of the authority and the facilities available to the industrialists.

Senator Akram Wali Muhammad stressed the need to solve the problems of the industrialists and suggested steps to attract investment from local and foreign investors. The committee appreciated the operation units at EPZA and suggested that concentration be given to the existing facility for optimum utilization before further expansion.

Col. Akbar Hussain informed the committee members that the total exports from various zones during the year ended June 30, 2004 was $202.707 million and Karachi Export Processing Zone alone contributed $166.566 million.

He told that the authority was working on the president's package for Karachi in which 211 acres of EPZA land had been developed in Phase I. Whereas 100 acres were being developed in Phase II, he added.

He suggested that to give boost to exports, investment in local currency be allowed and EPZA be given permission for export of imported goods to Afghanistan, China and Central Asian Republic via land routes.

He told that at present seven export processing zones have been working all over the country and more such zones would also be established in all the major cities including Azad Kashmir to further boost the exports. -APP