TRADE & ECONOMY
Sindh Government and Federal Authorities Agree to Transfer Steel Mills Land to China for Special Economic Zone
The Sindh government has agreed to transfer 4,840 acres of land from Pakistan Steel Mills to China for the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This agreement was reached during a meeting between Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Shah and Federal Minister for Industries Rana Tanveer at the Chief Minister's House.
The meeting was attended by several key figures including Provincial Minister for Industry Jam Akram Dharijo, Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Agha Wasif, Secretary Industry Yasin Shar, Federal Secretary Saif Anjum, and other officials.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Shah highlighted that the proposal for a Special Economic Zone was thoroughly discussed in the Sindh cabinet on May 30, 2024. The cabinet had proposed that 700 acres of the land reserved for the steel mill should be dedicated to either restoring the steel mills or establishing a new plant. The remaining 4,840 acres were to be utilized for the SEZ.
Federal Minister Rana Tanveer assured that the federal government would facilitate the development of the SEZ with Chinese investment. The Chief Minister emphasized that the SEZ, located near the sea, would benefit from essential facilities like water and gas.
The establishment of the SEZ is expected to generate employment opportunities and enhance the country's economic landscape. Chief Minister Shah affirmed the Sindh government's commitment to restoring Pakistan Steel Mills through a public-private partnership and advancing efforts in agriculture, industry, and technical education to support economic development.
The provincial and federal governments have agreed to expedite the necessary paperwork to ensure the swift establishment of the SEZ.