Sahiwal, Sialkot, Muzaffargarh: PIEDMC plans to develop industrial estates

LAHORE: The Punjab Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (PIEDMC) has planned to develop industrial estates in Sahiwal, Sialkot and Muzaffargarh so that the less developed regions could be brought into the mainstream.

The company sources said that an amount of Rs 5755 million has been spent on infrastructural development in various industrial estates in the Punjab province during the last two years. The Punjab Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (PIEDMC) during the last two years has spent an amount of Rs 72 million in Bahawalpur Industrial Estate that was established on a area of 485 acres, Rs 55 million in Vehari Industrial Estate set up on 277 acres, Rs 168 million has been spent on establishment of grid station in Rahim Yar Khan Industrial Estate set up on 450 acres, while Rs 210 million were spent in Bhalwal Industrial Estate on an area of 450 acres.

A substantial amount of Rs 5250 million was allocated for Quaid-e-Azam Business Park, Sheikhupura, located at close proximity of Lahore Islamabad Motorway that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan in July. This Business Park which is being developed on an area of 1536 acres will go a long way in realizing the concept of state of the art business park fetching foreign direct investment, paving way for not only industrial growth but also providing the vast opportunities of employment in the province. It will contribute to Pakistan's GDP, increase exports and would also encourage the import. Out of 1536 acres land, 200 acres have been dedicated for developing a labour colony which would provide accommodation facility to 30,000 workers.

Besides, the developmental work has also been commenced in Quaid-e-Azam Business Park and Bahawalpur Industrial Estate. The PIEDMC is also planning to start construction of 132KV grid stations costing Rs870 million at both Bhalwal and Vehari special economic zones during the current financial year. Apart from setting up of grid station, the company has also planned to procure 21 generators to maintain backup for providing electricity during the power outages.

The PIEDMC has also declared three industrial estates as special economic zones including Bhalwal Industrial Estate, Rahim Yar Khan Industrial Estate, and Vehari Industrial Estate. Besides, two industrial estates i.e. Quaid-e-Azam Business Park and Bahawalpur Industrial Estate are already under process for declaration of special economic zones. Work on infrastructural development has also been commenced at Quaid-e-Azam Business Park & Bahawalpur Industrial Estate.

The company did not develop any sector or industry specific industrial estate as it intends to accommodate all kinds of industries and businesses to accelerate the economic activities in the province. Besides, the PIEDMC is also managing Sundar Industrial Estate established on an area of 1750 acres, Multan Industrial Estate set up on 1410 acres of land, and Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate, Lahore, on 565 acres of land.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020