ISLAMABAD: Balochistan government is working on a plan to declare SpecialEconomic Zone (SEZ) at Gwadar as a tax-free zone under the China-PakistanEconomic Corridor (CPEC) and a one-window system is also being introducedto facilitate the local and foreign investors.
An official source told *Pakistan Today* that the development projects inGwadar are being completed under the CPEC framework and the Balochistangovernment is undertaking numerous projects worth Rs20 billion for theuplift of the people of Gwadar.
The official said that the Balochistan government is inviting investors toGwadar for the generation of revenue which can help Gwadar transform intoan economic hub of the region.
The official said that a 250-km-long road network has been laid in Gwadarto facilitate smooth traffic. The official added that Gwadar industrialzone would comprise of three parts while an education city and a diplomaticzone would also be established in the port city.
The official explained that the provincial government has formulated rulesfor allotment of land in industrial zones in the province and land will nowbe allotted in industrial zones only to those industrialists who will setthem up to the decided industry within the stipulated timeframe.
The official said that the provincial government will soon allocate 20,000acres of land for the SEZ and special security arrangements have been madein and around Gwadar. The official said that the security apparatus inplace has led to maintaining peace and development in Balochistan.
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The official informed that under the 2050 Master Plan, the issues of waterand electricity for the people of Gwadar would be resolved by the end ofnext year (2022). They added that work is in full swing on a desalinationplant, which will convert five million gallons of seawater into drinkingwater and a 300 megawatts coal-fired power plant. Both the projects will befunctional by January 2023, the official added.
The official said that over 40 Chinese companies have pledged to invest inthe first phase of SEZ under CPEC at Gwadar Port while another 200companies have registered with the China Overseas Ports Holding Company(COPHC) for further investments in the first SEZ.
With this investment, the first phase of the SEZ has been completed,
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