ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and China have agreed to include Karachi CoastalComprehensive Development Zone (KCCDZ) under the CPEC framework.
The historic decision was taken during the 10th Joint Cooperation Committee(JCC) on CPEC, held on 23rd September 2021 at Islamabad and Beijing.
KCCDZ, an initiative of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs focuses onproviding Karachi with an ultra modern urban infrastructure zone, placingKarachi amongst the top port cities of the world.
In a first of its kind even for CPEC, the planned multibillion-dollar megaKCCDZ project will be built on direct Chinese investment in partnershipwith Karachi Port Trust (KPT).
The quantum of expected investment is around USD 3.5 billion. Developed onreclaimed area of approximately 640 hectares on the Western back watersmarsh land of KPT, KCCDZ will be a flagship project for not only Pakistanbut the entire region. In accordance with PM Imran Khan’s vision forpromoting low-cost housing, KCCDZ will also provide residentialresettlement to more than 20,000 families living in the surrounding slums.
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The environment friendly mega KCCDZ, envisages 4 new berths for KPT addingdepth to Pakistan’s expanding maritime sector. It will also house astate-of-the-art fishing port, with a world class fisheries exportprocessing zone to boost Pakistan’s trade potential. It will alsodrastically improve the marine ecosystem and reduce pollution byestablishing a water treatment plant at the mouth of the Lyari River.
KCCDZ will connect with the rest of Karachi through a majestic harborbridge rising from behind Pakistan’s Deepwater Port, with exit ramps forManora Islands and Sandspit beach. KCCDZ carries enormous potential forglobal investors as well.
KCCDZ will unlock Pakistan’s unexplored Blue Economy and significantlyenhance development and industrial cooperation between the two brotherlycountries. KCCDZ is a game changer for Pakistan.
