20000105

EPZA working

on top priority for

setting up chain of zones

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) is working on priority basis for the establishment of a chain of Zones in the country. Maqsood Ismail, Chairman, EPZA, said that Sialkot Zone is nearing completion where land development is almost complete. Efforts are now being made to provide bulk utilities in the Sialkot Zone. Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Chief Executive has also assured provision of bulk utilities for the Sialkot Zone at the earliest, said an EPZA press release issued here on Sunday.

While Sialkot Zone is expected to give a boost to the export of surgical items, sports goods and leather items under EPZ concept, the progress in the opening of Lahore EPZ will cater to a wide range of traditional and non-traditional industrial sectors.

Maqsood said that Lahore zone will be a joint venture in association with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The LCCI has set up a Trust specifically to manage the establishment of the Zone on self-financing basis. After carrying out a survey of various possible sites, LCCI has finally selected a piece of 400 acres of state land on Lahore-Multan national highway.

Punjab industries department has been requested to hand over the said land to LCCI Trust on lease basis for setting up the Zone. Advance payment of Rs one million has also been made by the Trust to Punjab industries department. As soon as the land is transferred to the Trust for setting up the Lahore EPZ, development work would be taken in hand instantly.

Similarly, Maqsood said, the Risalpur EPZ is also nearing completion. Its viability, however, depended largely on allowing land route to Afghanistan and onward to Central Asian States. Same is the situation with Quetta EPZ which has a direct road link to Iran. EPZA is closely working with the government to avail the land route facility and allowing more incentives to EPZs to have a package comparable with other regional zones.

One-window facility, better service, peaceful working atmosphere and quality infrastructure are the hall-marks of EPZs. Since the present government is serious in reviving the economy, all out support to develop EPZs in Pakistan may help to attract foreign investors in different areas of economic activity.

The government is already moving in this direction and is in the process of finalizing the revised incentive package prepared by the EPZA.