PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has said that future of the province is linked with industries.

He said that government was working under the integrated developmental strategy for establishment of industries and promotion of economic activities.

According to a statement, a meeting chaired by the chief minister was informed that preparations were finalised for commercial launching of six new economic zones in the province from next month.

The meeting told that economic zones in Nowshehra, Rashakai, Ghazi, Chitral, Mohmand and Dera Ismail Khan would be launched in phases from November that year to February next year. The meeting reviewed the progress made on establishment of various economic zones in the province.

Special Assistant to Chief Minister Abdul Kareem Khan, Industries secretary Javed Marwat, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Shahab Ali Shah, the chief executive officer of KP Economic Zones Development and Management Company and other senior officials attended the meeting.

Six economic zones to be launched in province next month

The meeting was informed that launching of 76 acres Nowshehra economic zone extension project was expected till the end of ongoing month. Investment of Rs1.6 billion and roundabout 12,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities were expected from this project.

Construction of access road to the project site has been completed and 200KV transformer has been installed there to provide electricity.

The meeting was told that all the pre-requisites were completed for inauguration of 1,000 acres Rashakai special economic zone that was scheduled to be launched by next month.

The project would have space to accommodate 400 industrial units through which investment of $1.9 billion and 200,000 direct and indirect employments were expected. The meeting was told that 70 per cent work on the access road to the site was completed.

Similarly, 89 acres Ghazi and 40 acres Chitral economic zones would also be launched in December whereas commercial launching of 350 acres Mohmand economic zone was scheduled in January 2021.

Mohmand economic zone would have space for 300 industrial units with expected investment of Rs7.6 billion and 56,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

The project has been divided in three zones. Under the project, 25 units are under construction while construction of five additional units would soon be started.

Formal inauguration of 189 acres Dera Ismail Khan economic zone is expected in February 2021. Investment of Rs1.5 billion and more than 30,000 direct and indirect employments are expected through this project.

Four industrial units are operational while two units are under construction and construction of five additional units will be started very soon.

The meeting was told that 424 acres Hattar economic zone extension project was also in progress under which six units were already running, 32 were under construction and seven industries would soon start production. A total of 125 units are expected in this economic zone.

The meeting was told that 92 acres export processing zone in Nowshehra was also being established with the expected investment of more than $166 million and more than 30,000 employment opportunities.

The chief minister said on the occasion that future of the province was linked with industries. He said that government was working under the integrated developmental strategy for establishment of industries and promotion of economic activities.

Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2020