KARACHI, Jul 15 (NNI): Foreign Minister and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday laid foundation stone of the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers Nasir Shah, Sharjeel Memon, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab and PPP’s Qasim Naveed Qamar, Sadiq Memon, Jam Awais Gohram, Jam Abdul Karim, Ali Hassan Zardari and others attended the ceremony.
The foreign minister along with the Sindh chief minister inaugurated the project by unveiling the plaque.
According to the spokesman, the PPP chairman was briefed about benefits and characteristics of the project by the officials concerned.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was informed about the project’s industrial infrastructure, uninterrupted benefits, sustainability, and creation of jobs as it would generate an investment of US $ 5 billion and create 100,000 jobs.
“The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (SEZ) will be a Public-Private Partnership project which ensure the economic and social development of the country,” the foreign minister said.
The objective of this project was to create a network of industries in Karachi.
Dhabeji Special Economic Zone covers an area of 700 acres, providing space for the national and foreign investors to establish business units.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that the project will bring economic development and prosperity with collaboration between the government and private stakeholders.
Dhabeji Special Economic Zone is the largest economic project of Pakistan. The project will save expenses and time with easy access of the raw material and other imports to nearby Port Qasim.
“Moreover, easy access to Karachi airport will ensure safe travel for foreign businessmen and administration,” Shah stated.
“The project with easy access to the National Highway will ensure transportation of the cargo to upcountry as well as to the central Asian countries,” chief minister said.
“The special economic zone has been designed for economic development, foreign investment and promotion of local industries,” Shah said.
Investors who will establish their business within this zone would be eligible for a 10-year tax exemption and they could import machinery for business purposes without any duty.
It is a China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project strategically located along a crucial geographical route and will play significant role in the country’s economy. NNI
