ISLAMABAD- The four Special Economic Zones (SEZs), work on which iscontinuing at full swing, would create as many as 1.47 million jobs besidesplaying an important role in promoting local industry to lead the countrytowards sustainable economic growth.
“The four SEZs including Rashakai M-1 Nowshera; Dhabeji Thatta; AllamaIqbal Industrial City Faisalabad and Bostan Balochistan would create around475,000 direct and 1,000,000 indirect jobs all across the country,” seniorofficial of Board of Investment (BoI) told APP here Monday.
Talking to APP, the official said these SEZ, which are part of ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would promote overall industrial growthin the country, adding that development of these four zones was toppriority of the government.
He was of the view that Pak-China industrial cooperation would makePakistan a manufacturing hub in the region while the establishment ofindustrial zones would create vast investment opportunities for localindustrialists.
The 1000 acre Rashkai Economic Zone has attracted at more than 2,000domestic and foreign investments in different sectors of economy, hencepromote rapid industrialization.
He said that the zone would be developed in three phases and as per theplan 247 acres of land would be developed in the first phase, 355 acres inthe second phase and 399 acres in the third phase.
Likewise, the federal government would provide 210 MW electricity to thezone in three phases while it had also earmarked Rs 1203 million for gasfor this zone.
The zone will provide employment to 80% locals, he said adding thatRashakai has the potential to become a hub of economic activity.
He said Rashakai Special Economic Zone is connected to all the provinces ofPakistan through airports, dry ports, railway stations, motorways andhighways.
The zone is located at the confluence of the five major districts of KPK,Nowshera, Mardan and Swabi, Charsadda and Peshawar.
He said that there is fertile land in the adjoining districts, which issuitable for growing a variety of cash crops and vegetables.
The SEZ would cover more than 400 industries, including garments andtextile products, home appliances, general commercial goods, electronicsand electrical appliances, automobiles and mechanical equipment.—APP