EPZs to be set up in Gilgit and NWFP

The Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) has decided to set up one each Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in NWFP and Northern Areas, to harness the potential of gems, stones, marble and mineral sectors in these areas.
EPZA Chairman Lieutenant Colonel Syed Akbar Hussain (Retd) during a recently held meeting with NWFP Chief Minister Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani discussed the scope of harnessing the potential in gems, stones, marble and mineral sectors through EPZ concept.
EPZA General Manager (projects) Muhammad Ashraf Wahla told Business Recorder here on Tuesday that there existed huge deposits of gems, stones and marble in the area of Bonair in NWFP and Gilgit in Northern Areas.
An EPZ had already been set up at Risalpur, which was now fully operational. In this EPZ, investors could start their business, to avail of the incentives and benefits under the EPZ concept, he added.
However, the decision regarding identification of sites for setting up EPZs in the province, has been left with the NWFP chief minister who would take final decision.
The EPZA wanted such a place for EPZ, which should be nearest to the mining areas on the pattern of Saindak EPZ where Chinese investors were successfully processing and exporting copper directly from the EPZ, he said.
On receipt of encouraging results from the Saindak EPZ, the EPZA has decided in principle to focus that area for establishment of EPZ, which was nearest to the mining areas, he added.
The EPZA and NWFP government have agreed that after setting up of EPZs in NWFP as well as Northern Areas, spots would also be identified for promotion of tourism, he added.
Lieutenant Colonel Syed Akbar Hussain (Retd) also held a meeting with the Northern Areas chief secretary where establishment of EPZ was already under progress near Karakoram Highway.
The decision for identification of Gilgit for EPZ at Karakoram Highway was aimed at attracting foreign investors, in general, and Chinese investors, in particular.
The Chinese investors would have ample opportunities, to have an access to Central Asian Republics, Afghanistan and Iran, to market its products, he added.