China Industrial Zone: Sindh again sends scheme to Centre for approval, funding

The Sindh government has again sent the China Special Industrial Zone scheme to the federal government for approval and subsequent funding, reliable sources told Business Recorder on Thursday. The provincial government had prepared the scheme to set up China Special Industrial Zone in the province on the directives of President Asif Ali Zardari while the funding for the scheme will be provided by the federal government, sources said.
An amount of Rs 548.347 million will be spent on the infrastructure development including purchase of land, provision of water supply, electricity and other facilities at the proposed zone, sources said. The proposed zone would be set up in Shahdadpur, Sanghar, sources said.
Sindh Small Industries Corporation (SSIC) of the Sindh Industries Department will be the executing agency of the scheme, sources added. The proposed zone will be initiated as a joint venture with China, spreading over an area of 100 acres, sources added. The setting up of a number of industries such as cattle feed, poultry farming, hotel, motel, light engineering workshop, milk plant, oil expelling units, flour milling, rice husking, steel doors & windows, food industry and agriculture accessories have been proposed at the zone, sources said.
Seeking final approval, the Sindh government had sent a summary to the concerned department of federal government but the scheme was returned to Sindh government with some objections, sources said. A meeting was held a few days ago under the chairmanship of Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Malik Israr, at his office.
Following the decision taken in the said meeting, the concerned officials after addressing the objections, again sent the scheme to the concerned wing of federal government, sources said. According to the summary of the proposed project available with Business Recorder, the government will spend Rs 150 million to purchase 100 acres of land. The official concerned told BR that the Sindh Small Industries Corporation has so far set up small industrial estates in rural areas. However, it has also planned to set up small industrial estates in every district of the province.