Planning minister directs to expedite completion of SEZs within three months

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar has said that development of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is the priority area of the new government to ensure creation of new jobs, achieve high economic growth and encourage exports.

The minister was chairing a meeting attended by Secretary Ministry of Planning Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Project Director CPEC Hassan Daud, officials from the Board of Investment and Ministry of Commerce and Industries.

While reviewing progress on SEZs, the minister instructed to fast-track the processes and to enhance coordination among the line ministries to ensure early implementation of this important sector of CPEC.

The minister stated that SEZs offer huge potential to create jobs which is a top priority and main commitment of the government to the people as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He tasked all stakeholders to complete all processes to ensure groundbreaking of the prioritised SEZs in the coming three months.

He further instructed to work for the development of SEZ in the federal capital that could host IT, telecom and the services sector.

Later, the minister also reviewed progress on CPEC energy projects in a separate meeting, which was attended by officials from relevant ministries.

He said that the government intends to encourage projects based on indigenous sources of energy including Thar coal, hydel and renewable energy.

He said that the choice of local energy sources would also reduce import bill. He also instructed to explore opportunities for future power projects in these sectors to be included in CPEC energy portfolio.