‘Pakistan needs migration from resources-based production’

KARACHI: Pakistan needs to shift from resources-based and low technology exports to medium- and high-tech productions, an official said.

“Currently, almost 80 percent of Pakistan’s exports are resources-based items,” said Zuhfran Qasim, director policy and planning at Prime Minister’s Office, Board of Investment (BoI). He was speaking at a seminar on ‘CPEC Challenges and Opportunities’. Prime Minister’s office, BoI and ministry of planning development and reform in collaboration with Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) organised the interactive session, a statement said on Friday.

Qasim said relocation of Chinese industries to Pakistan will enhance efficiency of low-skilled labour-intensive industry as well as be instrumental in technology transfers, channelising the economies of scale, and adding value to the production chains in various sectors like agriculture and industry.

Shamim Ahmed Firpo, president of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry said CPEC would bring a revolution in physical infrastructure, energy and human resources. Firpo said CPEC would also help Pakistan in technological advancement and with a great infrastructure it would improve connectivity. 

He said CPEC has the capacity to accelerate local economy by increasing demand for locally-manufactured goods. “Such increase in demand will not only allow full utilisation of the existing manufacturing potential, but will also encourage the manufacturers to increase their capacity.”

The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president said it will generate much-needed employment opportunities and contribute a sizeable amount of revenue to national exchequer. “There is a need to bring more transparency in all affairs of CPEC to reduce the apprehensions in the private sector of Pakistan.”

Hassan Daud Butt, project director of CPEC said information on CPEC website www.cpec.gov.pk is being updated on daily basis. Shah Jahan Shah, additional secretary at BoI said private sector’s role is more crucial and important in industrial cooperation related to CPEC projects.

“The development in trade and industry is the main gain from CPEC as a driving force for economic growth,” Shah said. He said the government is formulating advisory groups to discuss modalities of economic zones to be built under CPEC projects.

The expert groups will have representation from the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The government plans to establish 46 special economic zones alongside the route of CPEC.

Nine zones will be built under the short- and medium-term plan, while remaining will be established in the long-term. Power projects under CPEC will produce 10,400 megawatts of electricity after completion, he added.

Naheed Memon, chairperson of Sindh BoI said two special economic zones (SEZs) under CPEC have been proposed in Dhabeji and Keti Bander in Sindh.

Memon said Dhabeji SEZ is the top priority as it makes commercial sense.

“Dhabeji SEZ, which is currently spread over 1,000 acres of land, will showcase cooperation between Pakistan and China industries,” she added. “We intend to establish more such economic zones in this area.”