LAHORE: China Styled Special Economic Zones (SEZ) can bring industrial revolution in Pakistan and measures should be taken in this regard. This was stated by Shah Faisal Afridi, President Pak-China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) while exchanging his views with a business and Trade delegation from Qingdao Commerce Bureau, China at PCJCCI office.
The delegation headed by Ms. Zhang Li, deputy Director General of the Bureau, was comprising senior members of the Qingdao Commerce Bureau including Sun Guoliangvice general manager, Qingdao Huatong State-owned Capital Operation (Group) Co.,LTD, WANG DA, PRESIDENT Qingdao Laoshan Mineral Water Co., Ltd, Yuan Dezhao, Division Director, Qingdao City Construction Investment（Group Co., Ltd and more.
Afridi acknowledged that Haier Ruba Special Economic Zones had struggled through various challenging situations related to power, energy, law and order but still it was one and the only Special economic Zone of its type in the country giving fruitful returns to the national economy.
Faisal Afridi said that measures should be taken for creation of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) on Chinese style. For attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), Pakistan must improve its internal security situation and promote cultural flexibility for assimilation of foreign investors, he added. He informed that According to World Bank’s latest report on SEZs “by some estimates, there are approximately 3,000 zones in 135 countries today, accounting for over 68 million direct jobs and over $500 billion of direct trade-related value added within zones.” He said that Pakistan is in dire need of maximum Special Economic Zones to combat economic challenges being faced by the country since decades. These Special Economic Zones will strengthen the industrial base, will put economy back on the rails besides protecting the national economy from global financial recessions and enable the government to utilize its resources at the targeted industrial areas.
The Delegation was further facilitated by PCJCCI in arranging meetings with Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company (PIEDMC). The Delegation visited Quaid e Azam Apparel Park that is working under the auspices of PIEDMC. During the Visit CEO PIEDMC Colonel Gill gave a detailed Presentation on the progress and scope of apparel parks and Industrial zones
