Policy paper launched to adapt China’s eco-industrial park model for CPEC zones

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan-China Institute (PCI), in collaboration with the School of Environment at Tsinghua University, China, has released a policy paper on adapting China’s successful experience of Environmental Industrial Parks (EIPs) to the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC.

The paper, titled “From Policy to Action: Implementing Green Special Economic Zones under CPEC through Experiences of China’s Eco-Industrial Parks,” was launched during the Pak-China Green Development Dialogue held alongside Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China.

The ceremony was attended by Minister of State for Climate Change Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Kharal, Professor Tian Jinping of Tsinghua University, PCI Executive Director Mustafa Haider Syed, Additional Secretary of the Board of Investment (BOI) Dr. Arifa Iqbal, and others. The policy paper was compiled by Mustafa Haider Syed, Muhammad Umar Farooq, and Professor Tian Jinping.

The report emphasizes adapting China’s EIP model to Pakistan’s SEZs, focusing on quality, shared infrastructure, financing, operations, and data management.

Professor Tian Jinping remarked, “Today is the day to turn ideas into practical actions in Pakistan’s special economic zones. China’s ecological industrial parks succeeded because we set clear standards, built shared facilities, and based decisions on proven data.”

Mustafa Haider Syed said, “Our focus is not on theory but practical implementation. The paper shows how zonal authorities can draft standard agreements, publish KPIs, and normalize data sharing.”

Dr. Shezra Mansab Ali Kharal noted, “We need to learn from China’s eco-industrial parks and adapt them to our needs. Green transition does not mean turning off all the lights; it means turning on better lights.” Highlighting opportunities for collaboration, Dr. Arifa Iqbal said, “More than 300 Pakistani companies have come to China with the Prime Minister’s visit. BOI will work on creating standard agreements for efficiency and pollution control.”