The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being developed all across Pakistan under the umbrella of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) have the potential to create 1.4 million jobs. These SEZs which are being developed on a priority basis would also help promote the overall industrial growth in the country.
The four SEZs including Rashakai M-1 Nowshera; Dhabeji Thatta; Allama Iqbal Industrial City Faisalabad and Bostan Balochistan would create around 475,000 direct and 1,000,000 indirect jobs all across the country. Work on the development of these SEZs is proceeding on a very fast pace.
Chairman of China Pakistan Economic Corridor Authority Lt. Gen (Retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa recently posted on his twitter account “Allama Iqbal SEZ (Fsd)Dev work in full swing. Total saleable land 2276 acres. 33% land purchased by 69 investors so far. 182 acres purchased by 7 foreign investors. Several Pakistani/ foreign Industries have started construction”
The Rashkai Special Economic Zone one of the most important SEZs spanning 1000 acre has attracted more than 2,000 domestic and foreign investments in different sectors of economy. Out of 1000 acres 247 acres of land would be developed in the first phase, 355 acres in the second phase and 399 acres in the third phase. More than 80% employees at the Rashakai SEZ will be local residents in the vicinity. The zone is located at the confluence of the five major districts of KPK, Nowshera, Mardan and Swabi, Charsadda and Peshawar.
There is fertile land in the adjoining districts, which is suitable for growing a variety of cash crops and vegetables. The SEZ would cover more than 400 industries, including garments and textile products, home appliances, general commercial goods, electronics and electrical appliances, automobiles and mechanical equipment.
The government is prioritising development of special economic zones (SEZs) for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and transfer of technology into the country.
