ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said all the initiativesfor setting up Special Economic Zones (SEZs) would be spearheaded by thefederal government while taking the provinces fully on board.Chairing a meeting to review progress on the establishment of SEZs acrossthe country, the prime minister directed to ensure that no effort wasspared to ensure their colonization on war footing.He also directed for addressing concerns relating to land availability, andcreation of jobs and wealth to help turn the wheels of economy.“We should remain competitive by providing incentives for transfer oftechnology and relocation of industries from China on the lines of theincentives being provided by other regional countries,” he stressed.The prime minister said the present government had brought aboutsignificant improvement in the ease of doing business in the country. Therewas need to devise an effective awareness strategy to inform the peopleabout the on-ground progress and emerging socio-economic opportunities tobe available after the SEZs’ operationalization enabling them to reap thebenefits to the fullest, he added.The meeting was briefed on the provision of utilities, revision in theexisting legislative framework for incentivization, facilitation of foreignand local investors and effective coordination between the Centre and thefederating units for smooth and effective implementation strategy.It was informed that funds to the tune of Rs 2.8 billion would be providedfor provision of electricity to Bin Qasim, Dhabeji, Rashakai and HattarSEZs during the financial year 2019-20 while four PC-I had already beensubmitted for facilitation in provision of electricity. Moreover,additional arrangements were being made for provision of 110 MMCFD gas atthe cost of Rs 3.75 billion to different SEZs out of total 689 MMCFDrequirement till 2023.The meeting was also apprised of the revisiting efforts in the existinglegislative framework regarding the uniform treatment for all local andforeign investors to ensure 100% foreign ownership and repatriation ofprofit as well as dividends.The new legislative framework was being devised to encourage exports,import substitution, and local manufacturing that would check unemployment,current account deficit and facilitate transfer of technology, it wasadded.Work visa and visa on arrival facility for 67 countries had already beenextended, the meeting was further informed.It was also recommended to ensure plug n play infrastructure in all SEZsfor attracting large foreign manufacturing companies to relocate theirfacilities to Pakistan.Minister for Planning Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Minister for Power OmarAyub Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Trade and Investment AbdulRazzak Dawood, Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting Dr FirdousAshiq Awan, Special Assistant Nadeem Babar, Board of Investment ChairmanSyed Zubair Haider Gillani and senior officials were present during themeeting.
PM Imran Khan takes important decisions over the Special Economic Zones
