The first Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is likely to be developed at Gwadar under the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Executive Director General, Raania Ahsan, Board of Investment informed the media persons on Thursday. She said the government had identified 29 SEZs so far, adding those SEZs would be set up across the country under CPEC. She maintained that three SEZs were already notified in Sindh.
A high-level committee led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would give a formal go ahead on the SEZ schemes soon and then share details with the Chinese authorities. This would be followed up with provision of basic infrastructure facilities like power, gas and water.
Responding to a question regarding possible inking of Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) with US, she said the Board stopped all kind of negotiation on new BITs or ratifying the existing BITs until the finalisation of new template for BIT. The template would be submitted before the Cabinet after consultation with stakeholders, she added. Replying to another question, she said the Board was working to improve Pakistan's ranking in Ease of Doing Business Report. The Board has evolved a strategy and bringing improvement in various indicators of Ease of Doing Business in phases.
She further said that various auto companies were showing their keen interest in investing in auto sector in Pakistan. The government had promised a number of incentives in new audit policy, she added. She said the foreign and domestic investment in Pakistan was improving in various sectors of economy.