After China’s proposal to build CPEC Pakistan has faced many changes in its geographical and economic maps and strategies. When China started participating in the development of Pakistan through CPEC therefore it selected some areas to do their major work and called them the Special Economic Zones.

Special Economic Zones are area whereas the laws for business and trade are different from the rest of the country. SEZs must be located within a country’s national borders, their aims must include increasing trade balance, employment, increased investment, job creation, and effective administration. The SEZs chosen by China and Pakistan are mention below breifly:

  1. Rashakai Economic Zone, M-1, Nowshera

    Rashakai Special Economic Zone (REZ), is located near M-1 motorway Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). Which is all set to be established. In three phases. as per Federal SEZA Regulations, The total designated area for Industrial use is 702 acres. 159 acres is to be developed in Phase I. 279 acres in Phase II. 264 acres in Phase III. An area of 76 acres has been allocated for commercial use,


    Connectivity:

    An access road (of 3.2 km) from Wali Interchange is under construction to SEZ zero point (in Phase-I). Rashakai Economic Zone is connected to all provinces of Pakistan through Airport (at a distance of 65 KM), Dry Port (65 KM), Railway station (25 KM), Motorway, highway (5 KM), and city center (15 KM from REZ). Based on the strong arms of the connected districts and resource pool, the Rashakai economic zone has predominant investment feasibility for industries in fruit & food processing/packaging and textile.


    Industrial Potential:

    • Garment and Textile Products
    • Home Building Materials,
    • General Merchandise
    • Electronics and Electrical Appliances
    • Automobile and Mechanical Equipment

      Rashakai Special Economic Zone

  2. Dhabeji Special Economic Zone

    In Thatta 1530 acres of land have been allocated by The Government of Sindh. For establishment of the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) in Thatta. Which will be developed in 3 phases. Electricity & Gas like major utilities will be available in the Dhabeji SEZs by 2021 and 2022.


    Connectivity    :

    Easy access to Port Qasim will enable saving of transportation costs & time for raw material import and finished goods export which is a locational advantage to Dhabeji.– Karachi Airport (35 Km) via National Highway enables safe travel of foreign workers and management personnel. National Highway enables the transportation of goods to other provinces and Central Asian nations utilizing the National Trade Corridor. DSEZ has the potential to transform into an Expatriate Enclave with modern infrastructure and a financial incentive package. Sindh Economic Zones Management Company (SEZMC) under the Government of Sindh.  The provincial agency is to develop and manage Dhabeji SEZ.


    Industrial Potential:

    Moreover the industrial sectors are proposed to be established in DSEZ, are the following:

    • Steel-Foundries
    • Automotive and Auto parts
    • Chemical & Pharmaceuticals
    • Consumer Electronics Engineering
    • Textile & Garments
    • Warehousing
    • Building Material
    • FMC

  3. Bostan Industrial Zone

    With an area of 1000 acres, Bostan is one of the pSEZs located in Balochistan. This Industrial Zone is situated in district Pishin which is bordered by Quetta, Qila Saifullah, Ziarat, and Qila Abdullah that will benefit this pSEZ with enough skilled labor, famous livestock, fruits, and vegetables, dry fruits, and the climate suitable for growing fruits and vegetables.

    Connectivity:

    The availability of trade routes (Airport, seaport, dry port, railways, and roads) makes this zone viable for profitable business activities, ensuring the availability of transport for the labor force to begin operations. The Bostan pSEZ is at a distance of – 23 KM from Quetta airport – 713 KM from Karachi seaport – 976 KM Gwadar seaport – 32 KM from the Quetta dry port It is near the national highway N-50 to connect with other regions of Pakistan.
    The proposal to include Bostan SEZ (Balochistan) is prioritized SEZs is given by the Federal Government Accordingly to the plan of action funding requirement therefore other procedures are yet to be presented and get finalized by relevant authorities.

    Industrial Potential:
    The industrial sectors proposed to be established at Bostan Industrial Zone are:

    • Fruit Processing
    • Agriculture machinery
    • Pharmaceutical
    • Motor Bikes Assembly
    • Chromite
    • Cooking Oil
    • Ceramic industries
    • Ice and Cold storage
    • Electric Appliance
    • Halal Food Industry

    Mainly the responsibilities for the development & management are handed over to The Planning & Development Department, Government of Balochistan.

  4. Allama Iqbal Industrial City, Faisalabad

    Allama Iqbal Industrial City (AIIC) is the biggest among all pSEZs with an area of 3217 acres. AIIC has the advantage of being adjacent to M3-Industrial city which has a greater number of projects inclusive of textile, pharmaceuticals, information technology, chemicals, automotive, service complex, etc. The land has been marked for AIIC, and construction work is in progress. The Allama Iqbal SEZ will be completed in phases, to be covered in the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 and will be able to provide basic utilities.

    The minimum standardized size of available plots is 1 acre for investors in all prioritized SEZs.The developing body of Allama Iqbal SEZ is Faisalabad Industrial Estate & Management Company (FIEDMC). A number of national and international companies have shown their interest to start their business units within AIIC. With great potential AIIC can attract foreign direct investment (FDI), generate employment, and will also be able to contribute towards exports.

  5. ICT Model Industrial Zone, Islamabad

    ICT Model Industrial Zone is to be established in Islamabad the capital of Pakistan spanning over the area of 200-500 acres. The zone is connected to business favorable well-established infrastructure, logistics networks, and trade routes (highways, railways & airports). The on-hand reach of utility provisions like water, electricity, drainage, and communication systems assures successful businesses in the ICT model industrial zone.

    Industrial Potential:
    The ICT Zone is mainly focused on investors in high -tech industry, Information Technology, and affiliate sectors. Industries that are most befitting to be established in Model ICT Zone:

    • IT & related industries
    • Steel
    • Food Processing
    • Pharmaceutical & Chemicals
    • Printing and Packaging
    • Light Manufacturing

     

  6. Industrial Park Pakistan Steel Mills Port Qasim, CPEC

    Port Qasim SEZ possesses an ideal location in Karachi city which has a well-developed infrastructure for the mobility of goods. The zone covers a land of 1500 acres.The zone is located just 15 km far from the national highway, 14 km from the railway track, and 22km from the Airport ultimately reducing transport costs. This SEZ has the largest oil terminal among other facilities inclusive of the container, liquid chemicals, and multipurpose terminal; making the business easier at that place along with the opening of vital utilities like potable water, power, gas, telecommunications, banking, and other facilities including transshipment and transit trade facilities with Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics.


    Industrial Potential:

    Investments are to be followed in the following sectors

    • Steel
    • Auto & allied
    • Foundry and Fabrication
    • Warehousing & Logistics
    • Pharma
    • Chemical
    • Printing and Packaging
    • Garments etc.

    The establishment of the Port Qasim SEZ is mainly authorized by The Federal Government.

  7. The Mirpur Industrial Zone, AJK

    Mirpur Industrial Zone with a 1078 acres area is located in the district of Azad Jammu & Kashmir sheltered by the West Punjab border. Mirpur city is one of the biggest cities in AJK territory. It has gone through different development projects. Near Zone, the connectivity hubs like airport, seaport, and railway & bus station; within the nearest regions would help enterprises to start out their businesses.

    The nearest airport in Muzaffarabad is in the development stage. To facilitate the trade and mobility of goods and working personnel at the beginning stage of development. The developed airport “Islamabad airport” is only 122 km far from Mirpur.
    Mixed industrial possessions are proposed at Mirpur Industrial Zone.

  8. Mohmand Marble City pSEZ CPEC

    Mohmand Marble City (MMC) is one of the other 9 proposed prioritized SEZs in Mohmand agency, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It consists of 350 acres. Mohmand Agency shares borders with Charsadda (rich in minerals and agriculture), Bajaur Agency, Khyber Agency, and Afghanistan which are naturally rich in marble and other minerals including uranium, dimensional stones, granite, coal, marble, manganese ore, limestone. Mainly marble & other Mix industries are proposed industrial clusters.

     

  9. Moqpondass SEZ of CPEC, Gilgit-Baltistan

    Moqpondass is the location opted for one of the 9 pSEZs proposed under CPEC in Gilgit Baltistan (GB), which is bordered with Afghanistan to the north, China to the northeast, and the Pakistani administered state of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) to the south. The Moqpondass SEZ of GB is naturally rich in precious gemstones & fruits. Moqpondass SEZ will be joined to the nearest Airport that is 35KM away, Sost Dry port 200KM and, CPEC Route is 4 KM on Gilgit-Skardu Road.

    Industrial Potential:
    Following potential industries are identified considering the available funds,

    • marble and granite
    • iron ore processing
    • fruit processing and value addition,
    • steel industry
    • mineral processing and value addition
    • leather industry