KP to establish 10 new economic zones

PESHAWAR: As many as 10 new economic zones and 19 small industrial estates would be established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 10 years, a meeting was told on Tuesday.

Chief Minister Mahmood Khan chaired the meeting which was attended by Special Assistant to CM on Industries Abdul Karim, Secretary Industries Humayun Khan, Secretary Energy & Power Zubair Khan, Additional Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, Chief Executive Officer Board of Investment and Trade, Hassan Daud and other senior officials, said a handout.

The meeting was informed that two more special economic zones would be set up in the next five years under the new Industrial Policy 2020. The small industrial estates at Abbottabad, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Dara Adamkhel, Shahkas and Mardan would be declared as special economic zones.

The forum approved an action plan for implementation of Industrial policy 2020, besides granting approval of constituting a 15-member implementation and oversight committee to be headed by the special assistant on industries to monitor and supervise the overall implementation process of the said Industrial policy.

It was also told that under the policy, concrete steps would be taken for the revival of closed/sick industries in the province whereas provision of uninterrupted utilities to industrial units would also be ensured.

In order to utilise indigenous resources in the industrial sector, 10 new economic zones would be set up in the various areas of the province including Chitral, Ghazi, Daraban, Swat, Buner and others.

Construction of approach roads to industrial units, efficient waste management and development of other allied infrastructure were also part of the new Industrial Policy. It was informed that credit incentives would be extended to support and encourage existing and new entrepreneurs in the province.

State-of-the-art training centre would also be established at Dara Adamkhel to promote cottage industry in the province. The chief minister said investors were being provided all the facilities through one window service, which was an important development of the provincial government towards good governance strategy.

Mahmood Khan directed all the relevant departments that non-objection certificates required for setting up new industries should be issued well in time to avoid unnecessary delay in the establishment of new industrial units under the policy.