Chinese experts to visit SEZs of CPEC in Pakistan

A team of Chinese experts will arrive in Pakistan in a few days to shape up their country's investment plans for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

A preparatory meeting chaired by Pakistan's Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday reviewed the availability of land and infrastructure and the investment plans for the SEZs of the CPEC.

The meeting was attended by representatives from PoK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir), Gilgit-Baltistan, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Board of Investment Chairman Miftah Ismail.

Citing sources, the Dawn reported that the minister was not impressed with the presentations made by the provincial governments to attract Chinese investment.

Iqbal asked the representatives to come up with detailed and profitable schemes for the zones to make it look more attractive to investors.

The representatives of the provinces gave presentation regarding the prospective zones and the updated availability of facilities in the their region during the meeting.

According the report, the meeting was informed that nine SEZs would be set up in all the provinces and other regions.

The two SEZs, including the development of an industrial park on Pakistan Steel Mills land at Port Qasim, near Karachi will be setup by the Pakistan government itself.

The Chinese experts, who are the part of Joint Industrial Working Group, would discuss the incentives for the investors and the feasibility of the SEZ sites during their Pakistan visit.

"Chinese investment will augment our industrial capacity through state-of-the-art technology and expertise, enabling our productivity" the Dawn quoted Iqbal as saying.

He urged local businessmen to engage with their Chinese counterparts and develop joint ventures that would provide opportunities of transfer of knowledge and experience.