Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sialkot: Punjab govt to establish special industrial zones in three districts

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to establish special industrial zones on 2,041 acres in three districts - Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sialkot.

In this regard, a series of consultative meetings were held with important stakeholders including president of Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Gujranwala division.

According to the details, "All the presidents of chambers of commerce and industries, commissioner, deputy commissioners and other stakeholders stressed upon the establishment of new industrial estate in each district of Gujranwala division besides one centrally located special economic zone as already established zones are insufficient for their projected growth."

They further said: "This will serve as gateway to all the avenues of economic development of the region."

The Commissioner Gujranwala suggested in the meetings that the division is the largest administrative civil division of Punjab with over 16 million populations and area of 17,206 square kilometres. The division contributes approximately eight percent to the country's GDP besides 20 percent to exports and about 40 percent in form of foreign remittances. The PM emphasized to provide all possible assistance in implementation of the regional economic development strategy goal, he added.

The golden triangle has strong base for industrial manufacturing goods for national and international markets. Indigenous products like sports goods and apparel, surgical instruments, leather products, cutlery, ceramic ware, sanitary products, metal processing, switch gears and transformers, pumps and motors, articles of plastic and PVC, fans, carpets and furniture etc have great potential for exports, he added.

He suggested that there is dire need to exploit the huge potential of this region to increase exports, foreign exchange and GDP. It is high time that the government should take revolutionary steps in line with regional economic triangle.

In this context, three pieces of land measuring 2401 acres have been identified by additional deputy commissioners (Revenue) of Gujranwala, Gujrat and Sialkot in consultation with all three presidents of chambers of commerce and industries.

It is pertinent to mention here that no suitable compact blocks free of all encumbrances are available as public/state land in the districts. The proposed lands have a convenient access to all the three districts of golden triangle including access to motorway, airport and dry port.

According to the documents a block allocation of Rs 500 million may be made for the acquisition of land for the establishment of three new industrial estates, one in each district and at least one centrally located special economic zone in the region and the same may be included in ADP 2021-2022. Industries, commerce and investment departments may conduct a thorough survey for the purpose before decision by the competent authority. Therefore, after consultative meetings, the government has given a final approval for this mega project and paper work has also been completed.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021