Special Economic Zones (SEZ), under CPEC

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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan seeks cooperation in the technological sector with China, not only to promote enterprises but improve the academic side too.

The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) of Pakistan and the Zhongguancun Belt And Road Industrial Promotion Association of China (ZBRA) signed a letter of intent (LoI) at a virtual ceremony for promotion of science and technological exchanges between the two countries.

The letter was signed by Zhang Xiaodong,president of ZBRA, and Amer Hashmi, chairman of STZA in the presence of Moinul Haque, Pakistan’s ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, and Khalid Mansoor, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Under the agreement, cooperation among academic institutions, research and development centres, industries and technological enterprises of the two countries will be enhanced.

The STZA aims to initiate collaboration with ZBRA to promote scientific and technological exchanges between China and Pakistan including development of a complete ecosystem, new and emerging technologies, and construction and management of technology zones.

Both parties aim to facilitate exchanges between tech enterprises of both countries in the areas of semiconductors, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, robotics, fin tech, block chain, and biotech.

The Zhongguancun Science Park, also known as Z-Park, was established in 1988 as one of the first science parks and first national innovation centres in China. Also known today as the Silicon Valley of China, covering an area of 488 square kilometres, the park is home to nearly 22,000 tech companies.

Over 200 branches and research centres of the world’s top 500 companies have offices in the park.

The aim of creating this collaboration is to transform Pakistan’s tech sector through sharing of the right kind of information about emerging technology and so on.

The ZBRA is an organisation headquartered in Beijing, China and legally registered with the Beijing Civil Affairs Bureau.

 

[ghazi52]

STZA, Chinese ZBRA sign letter of intent to promote scientific, technological knowledge​

By Shahzad Paracha

The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) of Pakistan and the Zhongguancun Belt and Road Industrial Promotion Association of China (ZBRA) have signed a Letter to Intent (LOI) to promote high-quality science and technological exchanges.
The LOI was signed by ZBRA President Zhang Xiaodong and STZA Chairman Amer Hashmi.

Under the framework, ZBRA will jointly work with STZA on deepening all-around cooperation among academic institutions, R&D centers, industries and technological enterprises of both countries.

The STZA in collaboration with ZBRA will work to promote scientific and technological exchanges between China and Pakistan including information sharing on science and technology development experience, development of a complete ecosystem, new and emerging technologies and construction as well as management of technology zones.

Both parties aim to facilitate exchanges between high-tech enterprises of both countries in the areas of semiconductors, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, robotics, fintech, blockchain, and biotech for mutually beneficial cooperation.
Zhongguancun Science Park was established in 1988 as one of the first science parks and first national innovation demonstration centers in China. I

t is also known today as the “Silicon Valley of China”. Covering an area of 488 square km, Z-Park includes 16 member-parks, and is home to nearly 22,000 high-tech companies. Global companies like Lenovo, Baidu, BOE, Didi-global, Xiaomi and Beigene started up from Z-Park, as did over 80 Unicorn companies such as Toutiao, Mggvii and Cambricon.

Over 200 branches and R&D centers of the world’s Top 500 companies have offices at Zhongguancun Science Park.


The ZBRA and STZA envision creating a complete ecosystem to transform Pakistan’s tech sector.

This collaboration is another cornerstone of STZA’s goal of transforming Pakistan’s human capital into a high-end future workforce within the tech industry of Pakistan and creating many opportunities for the youth of Pakistan. STZA envisions that this partnership between ZBRA and STZA will maximize the potential capabilities of the tech industry of both countries.

 

[ghazi52]

CM Sindh hints at massive employment opportunities through Dhabeji SEZ under CPEC​

February 23, 2022

SOURCExinhuanet.com

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ISLAMABAD, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) — The Dhabeji special economic zone (SEZ) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in southern Pakistan’s Sindh province will offer over 200,000 direct and indirect job opportunities, Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has said.

The SEZ is being developed through a private partner at a cost of 18 billion rupees (over 102 million U.S. dollars) to provide “plug and play” facilities to the investors within the next five years, the chief minister said on Tuesday, while speaking at the signing ceremony of a concession agreement for the SEZ development.

He said that the CPEC has achieved significant milestones through joint efforts of the governments, enterprises, and people of both countries, according to a statement by the chief minister’s office.

“The first phase of the CPEC, which focused on energy and infrastructure projects, met its successful completion and now the second phase is set to boost Pak-China cooperation in agriculture and initiate an era of industrialization through the establishment of Special Economic Zones,” he said.

He added that the SEZ is one of the priority projects of the CPEC for the provincial government because it will strengthen industrial cooperation between Pakistan and China besides enhancing trade with Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

The project will facilitate potential investors of China and other countries to establish new enterprises or transfer their facilities to the special economic zone, he added.

 

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Rashakai Special Economic Zone.

In an interview with Chinese Media, Hassan Duad Butt, CEO of KP-BoIT stated that eleven enterprises are establishing industrial units in the Rashakai Special Economic Zone.

He also said that the development of the Rashakai SEZ, which would be commercially launched on May 28, 2021, is on track. Century Steel, a Chinese-owned company that will be a state-of-the-art steel manufacturing facility, is one of the industrial units now under construction.

In addition, 11 businesses have been given 42 acres of land in the SEZ to build industrial units with an estimated investment of Rs11.826 billion and 2,500 job possibilities. In addition, he also said the SEZ will be built in three phases over the course of six to seven years. The zone’s electricity supply has likewise been divided into three phases..

In Phase One, 10 Mw was provided in Sept 2020; in Phase Two, 160 Mw will be provided, and 90% of work has been completed and in Phase Three, 50 Mw will be provided.

 

[ghazi52]

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Six companies awarded SZ Enterprise status at Rashakai SEZ, KPK..​

April 27, 2022

PESHAWAR, April 24. (Gwadar Pro)-The fourth Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Committee on Monday awarded the status of special zone enterprise to six companies at Rashakai Special Economic Zone (RSEZ), a flagship project of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

According to an official statement, six companies that were awarded the status of special zone enterprise are “now the recipients of industrial plots at RSEZ”, adding a collective investment of PKR 3.6 billion is expected to come, leasing out 21 acres of land. The SEZ committee has till date approved 15 enterprises leasing out 60 acres of land with an investment of PKR 70 billion.

RSEZ, also known as Rashakai prioritized SEZ, has progressed significantly in development during the last few months.

RSEZ is located at an ideal place, which is the confluence of five major districts of KP, and is reachable via a network of roads, motorways and railways.

The Government of KP and KPEZDMC, and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) are developing RSEZ, which is spread over an area of approximately 1,000 acres of land. RSEZ is expected to provide 200,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities to the locals.

Meanwhile, Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar during a meeting on Monday told Deputy Chief of Mission of the Chinese Embassy Ms. Pang Chunxue that Pakistan desired a “fresh momentum in high quality development of CPEC” and she welcomed “enhanced Chinese investments in CPEC’s SEZs”.

 

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Over 4,000 representatives of Chinese companies take part: STZA organises China-Pakistan technology investment conference in Beijing​

BR
21 Jul, 2022

ISLAMABAD: The Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA), Cabinet Division, Government of Pakistan, the Pakistan’s Embassy in Beijing, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Zhongguancun Belt and Road Industrial Promotion Association (ZBRA) of China, jointly organised the first ever China-Pakistan Technology Investment Conference (CPTIC) virtually.

More than 4500 representatives of the Chinese technology ecosystem, including science and technology parks, high tech production enterprises, technology companies, investment organisations, research and development centres, Chinese state-owned infrastructure companies and Chinese agencies of national, provincial, and municipal governments attended the conference.

The conference can probably be termed as one of the biggest ever forum held between Pakistan and China in terms of participation from Chinese companies. STZA aims to create new linkages with the technology sector in China and pave way for the Pakistani and Chinese technology players to cooperate in the field of technology, and attract Chinese investments, knowledge and technology capabilities through ensuring world-class customer experience and ease of doing business for their operations in Pakistan’s Special Technology Zones (STZs).

Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Moinul Haque opened the forum by welcoming the Chinese representatives. Acknowledging the strong diplomatic ties between the two nations, the ambassador informed the participants that joint working groups with the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Ministry of Information and Technology, have been established under the CPEC framework.

He recognised China as a global leader in the technology industry and stated that both countries have many avenues to cooperate in the field of technology sector. The ambassador appreciated the role of Chairman STZA and his team in enabling the technology ecosystem in Pakistan and create effective linkages with Chinese technology companies.

Amer Hashmi, the Chairman of STZA stated that China is a leading partner in developing the knowledge ecosystem in Pakistan, revealing that STZA had set up a dedicated China desk to help Chinese technology companies and large-scale enterprises investing in Pakistan’s STZs.

The STZs are being developed under the Triple Helix Model of Innovation, bringing together the government, industry and academia to remove barriers and create ease of doing business for domestic and foreign technology sector companies. He thanked the Ambassador of Pakistan to the People’s Republic of China for facilitating the virtual conference and pledged his resolute support for the Chinese technology investors.

The conference was also facilitated by the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, which was represented by Cao Zhouhua, the First Secretary of Science and Technology. He said that both sides are exploring multi spectral cooperation in the technology sector including, knowledge sharing, zone development, research, policy development, joint training of professionals, and management of STZs as per international benchmarks.

Director of Strategic Planning at STZA, Hamza Saeed Orakzai, who also heads the China desk at STZA, gave a detailed presentation to the representatives including the tax incentives, regulatory support and one window facilitation for the perspective Chinese technology investors.

Zhang Xiodong the President of ZBRA stated that due to the technology boom in China, the taxation revenue increased by 2000 times over the last 30 years. He called for the integration of Chinese and Pakistani Universities for joint R&D to enable and support the China – Pakistan Innovation Centre in China and said that ZBRA and STZA under a partnership are exploring avenues of cooperation for the development of STZs in Pakistan.

Javaid Iqbal, the Chief Commercial Officer of STZA urged Chinese technology sector companies, investors and large-scale enterprises to engage in strategic conversation with STZA to explore future opportunities, stating that Pakistan’s demographic advantage stood for a unique investment base for Chinese technology companies and research organizations, and both countries could enormously benefit by working together in R&D, especially in emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cloud and quantum computing, semiconductors, internet of things and smart devices design and manufacturing.

The STZA remains committed to job creation, technology transfer and human capital development in Pakistan with a special focus on youth entrepreneurship and innovation. Through its international partnerships and agreements, STZA aims to create a technology-driven knowledge economy in Pakistan to diversify economic indicators and create a new engine for rapid economic growth in the country.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022

 

[Luosifen]

German investors interested in CPEC SEZs

KARACHI, August 9 (Gwadar Pro)- German investors on Monday afternoon expressed interest to invest in

gwadarpro.pk

By Shafqat Ali | Gwadar Pro Aug 9, 2022



KARACHI, August 9 (Gwadar Pro)- German investors on Monday afternoon expressed interest to invest in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and other sectors in Pakistan.
A trade delegation from Germany held a meeting with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and health officials in Karachi to discuss mutual interest matters.
The delegation of Business Coral GmbH, led by its CEO Syed Mohsin Raza, met with the FPCCI delegation and health sector officials to discuss investment opportunities and to offer specialized services/expertise pertaining to Pakistan’s tourism and health industry.
During the meeting, the German company announced employment opportunities for Pakistani nursing and para-medical staff in German hospitals.
The trade delegation has also expressed a keen interest to explore investment in Pakistan’s tourism industry and SEZs.

 

[ghazi52]

German investors interested in CPEC SEZs

KARACHI, August 9 (Gwadar Pro)- German investors on Monday afternoon expressed interest to invest in

gwadarpro.pk

By Shafqat Ali | Gwadar Pro Aug 9, 2022



KARACHI, August 9 (Gwadar Pro)- German investors on Monday afternoon expressed interest to invest in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and other sectors in Pakistan.
A trade delegation from Germany held a meeting with the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and health officials in Karachi to discuss mutual interest matters.
The delegation of Business Coral GmbH, led by its CEO Syed Mohsin Raza, met with the FPCCI delegation and health sector officials to discuss investment opportunities and to offer specialized services/expertise pertaining to Pakistan’s tourism and health industry.
During the meeting, the German company announced employment opportunities for Pakistani nursing and para-medical staff in German hospitals.
The trade delegation has also expressed a keen interest to explore investment in Pakistan’s tourism industry and SEZs.

Such things happen weekly, only show interest, nothing happening on ground.

 

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (APP): Federal Minister for Industries and Production, Syed Murtaza Mahmud here on Thursday offered China to set up its industry in 1,500-acre Dhabeji Special Economic Zone in Sindh, manufacture products there and export to the world.

The minister was talking to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong who called him, according to a press statement issued by the Ministry of Industries. Both the dignitaries exchanged views on range of bilateral issues of mutual interest and cooperation, it added.

The minister asked the Chinese companies, already working in mobile manufacturing, automobile and other sectors in Pakistan, to bring more investment keeping in view cheap and competitive labour in the country.

For export promotion, the minister said both the countries could work together on long term policies and exchange ideas with regard to exporting zones. He said, currently 700 processing zones were working in China while only 8 processing zones were operational in Pakistan.

He said, Pakistan had a great potential in agriculture sector especially fruits could be exported to China after its value addition. He also stressed the need to increase volume of chilli export although Pakistan was already exporting the commodity to China.

The minister informed the ambassador that the floods incurred heavy loss to the agricultural sector, especially different crops were damaged badly.

On the occasion, the ambassador told the minister that China had given financial assistance to flood affectees through Red Crescent Society and Chinese companies working in Pakistan were being mobilized for fund raising for the purpose.

Chinese ambassador assured the minister of supporting Pakistani agricultural sector through modern technology and trained management to enhance yield of crops.

 

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Pakistan Oxygen to set up plant in Rashakai SEZ​

September 27, 2022



Pakistan Oxygen Limited (POL) has planned to set up a state-of-the-art plant in Rashakai Special Economic Zone of the premier China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan. Pakistan Oxygen Limited is a public listed company, and a leading supplier of medical and industrial gases in Pakistan with a proud legacy of over 85 years. They have 12 operational plants in Pakistan, and are now expanding their operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan Oxygen Limited (POL) has planned to set up a state-of-the-art plant in Rashakai Special Economic Zone of the premier China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Pakistan, said a press release issued here on Monday.

Pakistan Oxygen Limited is a public listed company, and a leading supplier of medical and industrial gases in Pakistan with a proud legacy of over 85 years. They have 12 operational plants in Pakistan, and are now expanding their operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan Oxygen Limited has planned to invest around USD 15 million in this project, which is expected to be operationalized by the end 2023.

This project will open new avenues for direct and indirect employment and training of local skilled and unskilled resources. In pursuance of same, CEO Pakistan Oxygen Limited, and RSEZDOC (CRBC) has signed Allotment Agreement and Renewable Energy Electric Supply Agreement.—APP

 

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China assures full support in developing SEZ’s as part of CPEC​

October 1, 2022




ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has sought support of China in facilitating roll-over of SAFE China deposits of US$ 2 billion in March 2023.

Nong Rong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar here at the Finance Division.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar extended warm welcome to the ambassador and highlighted deep-rooted friendship and brotherly relations between Pakistan and China. The finance minister apprised the ambassador about the damages caused by the unprecedented floods in Pakistan. He expressed gratitude to the govt of China for extending all out support to the govt and people of Pakistan.

The finance minister also appreciated the support extended by the Chinese leadership in refinancing of syndicate facility of RMB 15 billion ( US$ 2.24 billion) to Pakistan and further sought support of the ambassador in facilitating roll-over of SAFE China deposits of US$ 2 billion in March 2023. Referring to CPEC, the finance minister said that the Economic Corridor will play an important role in taking Pakistan’s economy forward as well as cementing the bilateral relationship between both the countries.

Nong Rong, Ambassador of China, extended his felicitations to the minister on assuming his new responsibilities. The ambassador reaffirmed Chinese govt’s continued support to Pakistan and emphasized that China stands with people of Pakistan in this hour of need like a rock.

The ambassador of China assured full support and cooperation of Chinese government in developing Special Economic Zones as part of CPEC. He also thanked Govt of Pakistan in facilitating Chinese companies in various projects in Pakistan. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar thanked the Chinese ambassador for support and cooperation.

 

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Chitral Economic Zone ongoing works and section 4 status of Zone
Will CREATE 1600, DIRECT & 6400 indirect jobs. making way to the international market through Afghanistan CentralAsia.

Chitral airport & one of the proposed routes for CPEC would bring prosperity to Chitral.

 

[Luosifen]

The 7th economic zone under CPEC to be constructed in Islamabad soon

ISLAMABAD, October 30, (Gwadar Pro)-The 7th economic zone will be constructed in Islamabad soon unde

gwadarpro.pk

The 7th economic zone under CPEC to be constructed in Islamabad soon​

By Shafqat Ali | Gwadar Pro Oct 30, 2022



ISLAMABAD, October 30, (Gwadar Pro)-The 7th economic zone will be constructed in Islamabad soon under the framework of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
According to the Planning Ministry the a total of 4500 acres of land near Rawat area and 7500 acres near the new Islamabad Airport would be allotted for the construction of the 7th special economic zone.
The economic zone will have the capability to process crude oil. The allotted land will be given to industrialists and will not be sold via estate agents.

 

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Construction of SEZs under CPEC: Wave of investments by Chinese enterprises likely: SEZA chief​

Recorder

LAHORE: “With the acceleration of the construction of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), there is a strong wave of international investment led by Chinese enterprises in Pakistan because our textile, leather, pharmaceutical, and surgical instrument industries are among the best globally, and the products are exported all over the globe,” stated by S M Naveed, Chairman Special Economic Zones (SEZs) on Monday during executive body meeting at Pakistan China Joint Chamber (PCJCCI) Secretariat.

The meeting was attended by Moazzam Ghurki, President PCJCCI, Fang Yulong, Senior Vice President PCJCCI, Hamza Khalid, Vice President PCJCCI, Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI and other executive members.

S M Naveed, Chairman Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA) Government of Punjab said that the large-scale transfer of China’s modern industries to Pakistan will drive the development of Pakistan’s industrial modernisation and help boost Pakistan’s export of advanced industrial products, bringing a large amount of foreign exchange income to Pakistan and enhancing the country’s financial strength. According to CPEC Authority of the Pakistani government, the main sectors in which Chinese companies can establish their industries in Pakistani SEZs include textile, footwear, pharmaceutical and information technology (IT) sectors.


He added that millions of jobs could be created for the locals through Chinese textile industry because it employs as many as 2,000 local Pakistanis in one shift. From here we see that once a large number of Chinese enterprises are landed in Pakistan’s SEZs, millions of jobs will be created for the locals. He also said that at the same time, local workers working in Chinese enterprises will receive extensive technical training, upgrading human resources development in Pakistan.

Moazzam Ghurki, President PCJCCI added that the best part is that the Chinese side will continue to provide intellectual and technical support to accelerate Pakistan’s priority sectors especially through the 9 SEZs of Pakistan under CPEC wherein 03 SEZs have been prioritized and are now at an advanced stage of development.

Hamza Khalid, Vice President PCJCCI said that I am confident that through this cooperation, many Chinese companies will reap benefits of Pakistan’s competitive advantages. It will definitely help in transforming trade potential into investment potential. Salahuddin Hanif, secretary General PCJCCI added that the young entrepreneurs of Pakistan should unite to boost the economy of Pakistan through learning contemporary techniques from Chinese enterprises.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022

 

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Congratulations... Special Economic Zone near Kasur for receiving BOI approval, wishing it achieving objective of creating a cluster for textiles exports & generate a significant amount of employment & foreign reserve, as the first privately owned SEZ with Chinese capital..