Planning minister for ensuring ground breaking of SEZs in 3 months

ISLAMABAD, Aug 29: Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar on Wednesday tasked all stakeholders to complete  the necessary processes of prioritized Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and ensure their groundbreaking within three months.

Chairing a meeting here at the ministry, Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar instructed to work for the development of SEZ in the Federal Capital Territory that may host IT, Telecom and Services Sector.

He said that development of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) was the priority area of the new government to ensure creation of new jobs, achieve high economic growth and encourage exports.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Ministry of Planning, Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, Project Director China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Hassan Daud, officials from the Board of Investment, Ministry of Commerce and Industries.

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

The minister stated that CPEC's SEZs offers huge potential to create jobs; a top priority and main commitment of the government to the people as per the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

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

On this occasion, he said under the directive of the Prime Minister, the government intends to encourage projects based on indigenous sources of energy including Thar Coal, hydal and renewables. He said that the choice of local energy sources would also reduce our import bill.

He also instructed the  officials concerned to explore opportunities of future power projects in those sectors to be included in CPEC energy portfolio.

(APP)