Imran Khan directs ministries, departments to increase investments in CPEC SEZs

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the concerned ministries and departments to increase investments in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being developed under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Chairing a high-level meeting to review ‘priority sectors,’ the PM stressed that the government’s focus was to increase investment in the SEZs for establishment of export oriented industries.

“The government’s business friendly policies and focus on ease of doing business has started rendering positive results. Increased investment of overseas Pakistanis and foreign investors is the result of the trust which the government has earned by its effective policy measures,” he told the meeting, according to an official statement.

The meeting was given detailed presentations on SEZs and Initiatives taken by the Board of Investment (BOI), CPEC Authority and relevant ministries to facilitate investors in obtaining No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) and complying to different regimes both under provincial and federal governments.

The meeting was informed that four major SEZs, including Allama Iqbal Industrial City, Rashakai, Dhabeji and Bostan were operational with an overall count of 21 SEZs of varying sizes.

A One Stop Shop model for investors has been prepared by BOI to assist in the provision of basic amenities including electricity, Gas, water and construction permits, the meeting was told.

A unified compliance regime has also been formulated for services under the provincial and federal government, the PM was apprised.

In addition a proposal regarding the empowerment of Management Companies to obtain NOCs/Permits on behalf of the investors was also given.

The meeting was informed that the launch of the One Stop Shop developed by BOI in collaboration with National Information Technology Board (NITB) will be executed soon.

Prime Minister Khan directed to expedite the process, follow the timelines and remove hindrances for investors on urgent basis.

The meeting was attended both physically or virtually by Federal Ministers Asad Umar, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiyar, Advisor to PM Abdul Razzaq Dawood, Special Assistant to PM Dr Shebaz Gill, Chairman BOI Azfar Ahsan, Special Assisatnt to PM on CPEC Khalid Mansoor, Chief Secretaries of all provinces and relevant senior officials.