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Pakistan's federal government has invited edible oil manufacturers to establish a dedicated industrial city at Port Qasim, as part of a broader push to develop new manufacturing and commercial zones at the port, including clusters for automotive and apparel production.
Speaking on Friday, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said the government would facilitate vanaspati (hydrogenated vegetable oil) manufacturers looking to invest in the proposed zone, providing the necessary infrastructure and services at Port Qasim, according to an official statement.
The proposal accompanies plans for a 150-acre automotive processing zone and a 250-acre apparel zone at the port. The automotive cluster could be expanded in phases depending on market demand, while the first phase of the apparel zone is projected to create more than 138,000 jobs and generate approximately $2.2 billion in annual exports, the minister noted.
The government is seeking stronger private-sector participation as it builds out industrial and commercial activity around Port Qasim, with land to be allocated to investors submitting viable business plans. Chaudhry added that existing land-related issues at the port have been raised with relevant authorities and will be addressed progressively.
In parallel, the government is exploring private-sector partnerships to address chronic water shortages at the port. Chaudhry proposed developing a seawater treatment plant under a commercial model in collaboration with the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturing Association (PVMA), with treated water reused to meet industrial demand at Port Qasim. He formally invited the association to work with the port authority on establishing and operating the proposed system.
The minister underscored that the edible oil industry is a major contributor to government revenues through customs duties and sales tax on imports, framing the new industrial city as a strategic opportunity for sector players.
He made the remarks while addressing PVMA members following the inauguration of the association's new headquarters on Friday.
Source: Profit by Pakistan Today