The government of Sindh has announced the submission deadline to register tenders for developing the US$ 120 million Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (DSEZ). With the bidding process expected to reel in US$ 1 billion in investments, international capitalists from China and other countries have until February 9, 2021, to submit their proposals.
At a conference hosted by the Sindh Special Economic Zones Management Company (SEZMC) in collaboration with the Sindh Investment Department and Federal Board of Investment, the participants of the pre-bid meeting were informed that,
DSEZ is a priority project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and is well on course to be developed under public-private partnership through an international competitive bidding process.
A report quoted the sources saying the new economic zone would potentially facilitate investors from China and other countries to either establish new ventures or transfer their facilities to Pakistan. ------------------------------
The meeting was also informed that February 9, 2021, is the last date for the submission of bids. Tentative agreements for the DSEZ will be signed in March 2021, after recommendations from the Evolution Committee are processed. Chief Executive SEZMC, Abdul Azeem Uqaili, said in a statement,
December 30, 2020, is the deadline for making queries regarding the bids.
He added that the minimum commitment for development is set at 100 acres. The new economic zone will adjust a wide assortment of industrial clusters, including steel-foundries, automotive and auto parts, consumer electronics, chemical and pharmaceuticals, textile and garments, and fast-moving industrial goods.
The federal government has also approved an investment of Rs. 4.3 billion for the construction of a dedicated power grid. The new grid will provide over 250MW power to the Dhabeji SEZ, expected to be completed by 2023. ------------------------------
The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone is spread over 1,530 acres of land and will be developed in two recurring phases. Phase-I will incorporate 750 acres in 30 months, and Phase-II will oversee the remaining 780 acres in the following 24 months.
Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, the Sindh government has received ample response from prominent investors, and many bids are expected to be processed by early 2021.