Industrial zones under CPEC: first phase to be completed by end of 2017

Secretary of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms, Yousaf Naseem Khokhar, said here on Tuesday that the first phase of setting up industrial zones under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be completed by the end of 2017.
"Tax exemptions for port and free zones have been notified in the Finance Bill 2016, 100 per cent private investment inside free zones will be operated by China Overseas Ports Holding Company Limited (COPHCL), while Gwadar Free Zone investment guideline has been published," he added.
The secretary stated this while briefing a meeting of the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Planning, Development & Reforms held here at the Parliament House. It was presided over by Abdul Majeed Khan Khanan Khail.
"We have asked the provinces to locate the places for the establishment of industrial zones after considering potential areas," he said, adding that the provinces should select the best places for the establishment of industrial zones to get maximum benefits.
The secretary said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has proposed Rashakai Economic Zone on M-I for Special Economic Zones, Sindh proposed Special Economic Zone Dhabeji, Balochistan proposed Bostan Industrial Zone, Punjab proposed Punjab-China Economic Zone, M-2 district Sheikhupura, federal government proposed two industrial zones; ICT Model Industrial Zone, Islamabad and Development of Industrial Park on Pakistan Steel Mills land at Port Qasim, Azad Jammu and Kashmir proposed Bhimber industrial zone and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) proposed Mohmand Marble City.
About energy projects, the secretary informed the committee that there are 12 energy projects under the CPEC, which are expected to generate 5,000MW by the end of 2017-18.
The committee directed the secretary to submit project-wise details along with break-up in the next meeting. The committee also recommended that all departments concerned including National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) would be invited in the next meeting for briefing the committee over the said energy projects under the CPEC in detail.
The secretary also briefed the committee about the transport infrastructure, rail-based mass transit system, railways, new provincial projects and new Gwadar projects in detail. The rail-based mass transit system, he added, includes Karachi Circular Railway, Greater Peshawar Region Mass Transit, Quetta Mass Transit and Orange Line Lahore.