“Economics is everywhere, and understanding economics can help you make better decisions and lead a happier life.” Tyler Cowen
From the first day of life, humans fight for their survival which depends on resources which are limited although the requirement is unlimited. There was a famous saying that the final war will be on the scarcity of resources and will be fought against haves and have nots. If we examine the world, every single thing depends upon an economy. Nations go to war to pursue national interest, whereas state-sponsored terrorism is also in order to gain benefits. On the contrary, states which are developed are focused on the stability of their economic order and those who are developing also focus on robust economic stability.
In case of Pakistan, new era of economic prosperity began with the mega project of CPEC. The development side of CPEC is focused on trans-regional connectivity and trade. For this trans-regional connectivity and trade, different industrial zones have been constructed and planned to be constructed alongside various routes.
An industrial zone refers to an industrial park or an area zoned for industrial development. Moreover, a free-trade zone (FTZ) is a specific class of special economic zone (SEZ). It is a geographic area where goods can be landed, stored, handled, manufactured, or reconfigured, and re-exported under specific customs’ regulation and generally not subject to customs duty. A SEZ is an area in which business and trade laws are different from rest of the country. SEZs are located within a country’s national borders, and their aims include increased trade, increased investment, job creation and effective administration.
Moreover, the government has devised a comprehensive plan to set up 37 SEZs across four provinces and special areas under the CPEC to increase industrial production. In Balochistan nine places were identified for SEZs: Bostan Industrial Zone, Dasht Industrial Zone, Turbat Industrial Zone, Industrial Zone at the Junction of Qilla Saifullah, Zhoband Loralai, Gwadar Industrial Estate, Lasbela Industrial Estate, Dera Murad Jamali Industrial and Trading Estate and Winder Industrial and Trading Estate.
Balochistan Governor Mohammad Khan Achakzai has emphasized the need for establishing maximum industrial zones in the province in order to utilize minerals and local human resource. Moreover, establishing economic zones under CPEC is of great importance as it will start a new era of development and prosperity in the province by promoting economic and trade activities. The Governor directed all concerned departments and institutions to ensure the provision of basic infrastructure and facilities in the Bostan Industrial Estate for the development of the area and making the estate beneficial. He also approached concerned authorities for the provision of water, electricity, gas and other facilities in the economic zone. There is need to develop more industrial zones as they will enhance our economy and will harmonize the people and the state.
The provincial government of Balochistan has already tried to grasp the opportunity to use the huge Chinese investment to develop their own industrial zones and enhance sectoral capacity, apart from Gwadar. The provincial government of Balochistan already took the lead of 13 projects that were approved in the sixth JCC meetings in December last year. New economic zones will guarantee more rapid progress and development in Balochistan.
