KARACHI: Director General Karachi Development Authority (KDA) Syed
Shujaat Hussain said that a new industrial zone will be established in
the Surjani area after more than 30 years in Karachi.
Speaking as a chief guest at the Federal B Area Association of Trade
and Industries (FBATI), he said that the industrial zones will
accommodate new industrial units in state-of-the-art structures,
providing essential infrastructure and utilities to industries to
cater to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The planned industrial
zone will be called the Surjani industrial zone, which will generate
economic activities and jobs for the residents of Karachi.
DG KDA added that the Surjani industrial zone will be developed within
the next three years that will also develop the adjacent residential
societies. More than 500 plots, ranging from 500 to 2,000 acres, will
be available through a private developer to set up industrial units,
he added.
President Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industries (FBATI)
Syed Raza Hussain highlighted the issues and challenges facing
industries and industrial zones in Karachi due to dilapidated
infrastructure and rampant.
He said that major roads and intersections of industrial zones should
be developed to maintain the smooth flow of cargo and passenger
traffic. On the other hand, authorities should also remove
encroachments within the industrial zones and road sides on an
immediate basis.
He pointed out that the lack of facilities, including water
availability, is hurting economic activities in Karachi and causing
industrial units to relocate from Karachi to different cities in
Punjab.
CEO FITE Babar Khan suggested that the KDA should appoint a focal
person to address the issues of industrialists. He added that a
one-window mechanism should be set up at the KDA for immediate
resolutions of issues.
