The Pakistani government has announced plans to set up a large Export Processing Zone (EPZ) on 6,000 acres at the Pakistan Steel Mills site, aiming to strengthen the country’s export-oriented industries.
The move is part of a broader strategy to improve manufacturing, attract investment, and enhance the nation’s global trade performance.
The announcement was made during a consultative session in Karachi, attended by key officials including Saif Anjum, Secretary of Industries and Production, and Jawad Paul, Federal Secretary for Commerce, along with representatives from the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).
The proposed EPZ is expected to provide modern infrastructure, facilities, and incentives to exporters.
It will address challenges faced by manufacturers, such as high operational costs and energy shortages, while encouraging both domestic and foreign investors to set up businesses focused on exports.
Industry representatives highlighted the importance of value-added manufacturing and agro-based industries as key sectors for growth.
They also stressed the need for supportive policies, including easier access to finance, reduced energy costs, and streamlined regulations, to maximize the zone’s impact.
The meeting concluded with a call for strong collaboration between the government and private sector.
Officials emphasized that strategic planning, investment in infrastructure, and supportive tax and energy policies would be critical to making the new EPZ a hub for export growth and a catalyst for Pakistan’s economic development.