ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the departments concerned to accord foremost priority to the provision of utilities services, gas and electricity to SEZs and wanted that a report indicating availability of required facilities at existing SEZs should also be provided to him. While chairing 6th meeting of the Board of Approvals (BOA) for Special Economic Zones the prime minister also approved three new SEZs, which included; (i) National Science and Technology Park, Islamabad (ii) JW-SEZ China-Pakistan SEZ, Raiwind, Punjab and (iii) Dhabeji SEZ, Sindh, taking the total number of SEZs to 20.

Earlier, the premier was briefed about various incentives available for the developers, co-developers, and zone enterprises in the SEZs.

On SEZ Zone Enterprise Admission and Sale of Plot Regulations 2020, the meeting decided that further consultation would be completed within one month, and proposal would be brought before the next meeting.

The meeting also approved a proposal regarding selection of two members from private sector for inclusion in the Approvals Committee, and appointment of two members from the private sector to be included in the composition of the BOD of the SEZs.

The meeting was attended by the Minister for Industries, Advisor Commerce, Finance Advisor, chairman Board of Investment, Chief Ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (video link), and Gilgit-Baltistan, concerned federal and provincial officials and others.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020