KARACHI: Zubair Tufail, President of United Business Group (UBG) and Former President of FPCCI, Khalid Tawab, Chairman of the UBG Sindh Zone, warmly welcomes and commends the commendable initiative taken by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and the Sindh Government. They have allocated 1530 acres of land to develop the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone (DSEZ) in Thatta, which is a priority project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Zubair Tufai firmly believes that the establishment of DSEZ will attract potential investors, particularly from China and other Gulf countries. The zone’s strategic location provides easy access to Port Qasim, facilitating the import of raw materials and the export of finished goods without incurring significant inland transportation costs or time delays. Moreover, the zone is conveniently located near Karachi Airport (35 km) via the national highway, ensuring safe travel for foreign workers and management personnel. Additionally, its direct access to the National Highway enables efficient transportation of goods to other regions within Pakistan and Central Asian nations, utilizing the National Trade Corridor.
Zubair Tufail also anticipates that DSEZ will transform into an expatriate enclave with modern infrastructure and a tax incentive package.
Furthermore, Khalid Tawab emphasized that the visionary initiative behind DSEZ aims to foster economic growth and collaboration, creating a conducive environment for business ventures and establishing strong global partnerships. DSEZ is expected to become a significant source of local and foreign investments, thereby stabilizing the economy amidst numerous challenges. Khalid mentioned that several Chinese investors have already expressed their interest in establishing industries within the zone due to its convenient access to Port Qasim, the CPEC route, and the N-5 Motorway. He added, “It is also expected that prominent Chinese entrepreneurs will relocate their industries to the DSEZ, which will transform into a hub of economic activities in Sindh due to its ideal location in close proximity to two functional ports of the country—Karachi Port and Bin Qasim Port.”
According to reports, DSEZ will be developed in two phases, accommodating hundreds of industrial units. The project will be executed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with the Sindh government providing the land while the developer will not only develop the zone but also cover the cost of the land to the provincial government. The government will also ensure the provision of all utility services, including electricity, gas, and water. Khalid added that DSEZ is expected to attract $5 billion in investments and create over 200,000 jobs.
