EPZA AT A GLANCE

EPZA was established through an Ordinance IV of 1980 with the mandate to plan, develop and operate Export Processing Zones in Pakistan.  EPZA is an autonomous body working under the Ministry of Industries and Production.  EPZA is mandate for setting up EPZ’s in Pakistan under section 2(K) of its Ordinance. Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) is a Pakistan Government venture conceived and designed to increase and improve the exports of the country. Its main objectives are accelerating the pace of industrialization in the country and enhancing the volume of exports by creating an enabling environment for investors to initiate ambitious export-oriented projects in the Zones which would, as a corollary, create job opportunities, bring in new technology and attract foreign direct investment (FDI).

The EPZA management has taken following steps as tasks to industrial promotion in the country:

1. KARACHI EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE (click here for detail)

It is a first project of EPZA, established in Karachi. It is located at a distance of 18 Kilometers from Jinnah International Airport and 10 Kilometers from Port Bin Qasim. Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) was established on 305 acres (Phase-I & II). 58% of total area is occupied by Roads and Greenbelts due to which the zone has become environmental friendly. Land in two phases, Phase-I is on 211 acres land, whereas, Phase-II on 94 acres land. Now both the Phase (I & II) have been fully allotted.  Over a period of time EPZA has been receiving new investment proposals from overseas as well as local investors for establishing new industrial units in Karachi EPZA, because of nearest to Sea ports. Now for further expansion of KEPZ Phase-III development work area of 80 acres of land is in progress.

KEPZ has received significant recognition and numerous accolades from around the world and today, is acknowledged as one of the fastest growing and most cost-effective free zones in the region. Presently 266 local and foreign based companies are operating and providing 30,000 employments opportunities to the peoples. Their exports valued US $ 614.079 million in 2019-20, and cumulative export is US $ 9036.786 million, garments is the dominating sector followed by electronics, chemicals, plastic & paper products, food, etc. Both the Phase (I & II) have been fully colonized.  Now for further expansion of KEPZ Phase-III development work on 80 acres of land is in progress. It is likely to create around eight to ten thousands job and accelerate industrial development.

2. SIALKOT EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE (click here for detail)

Sialkot Export Processing Zone was established through a MoU between EPZA and Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC). The Zone is established on area of 238 acres which is fully developed. Operational activities started in the year 2005. All plots have been allocated / given on ownership basis to the allottees by PSIC. All operational facilities are provided by EPZA under its charter and rules / procedures. The investments are being made in sports / surgical goods, leather products & garments, furniture, imitation jewelry etc by the investors. Location of Sialkot EPZ at Sambrial on Sialkot Wazirabad Road. Utilities i.e. Electricity, Gas & Telecommunication are providing by direct supply by the respective departments. Their exports valued US $ 21.030 million in 2019-20, and cumulative export is US $ 58.278 million. Presently 37 industrial units are operational.

3. RISALPUR EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE (click here for detail)

Risalpur Export Processing Zone is a joint venture between Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) and Sarhad Development Authority (SDA) located on Nowshera Mardan Road, Risalpur.  Operational activities started in the year 2002. All operational facilities are provided by EPZA under its charter and rules / procedures. Their exports valued US $ 3.043 million in   2019-20, and cumulative export is US $ 23.557 million. Presently 28 units are operational.

4. GUJRANWALA EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE (click here for detail)

Gujranwala Export Processing Zone was established through a MoU between EPZA and Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC). The Zone is established on area of 113 acres which is fully developed. Operational activities started in the year 2013. All plots have been allocated / given on ownership basis to the allottees by PSIC. All operational facilities are provided by EPZA under its charter and rules / procedures. Utilities i.e. Electricity, Gas & Telecommunication are providing by direct supply by the respective departments. Their exports valued US $ 1.281 million in 2019-20, and cumulative export is US $4.157 million. Presently 13 industrial units are operational. However, the most of investors intends to de-notify the zone.

5. SAINDAK EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE  (click here for detail)

Saindak EPZ is Gold and Copper Project located at Saindak in Chagai District of Balochistan, and is operational since August, 2003 by a Chinese Company namely Messrs Metallurgical Construction Corporation (M.C.C), and has become fully operational during 2006-07 with the capacity to produce around 20,000 tons of blister copper per year. Export from Saindak EPZ valued US $ 55.002 million in 2019-20 and cumulative export is US $ 2258.647 million. In addition to numerous foreign employees the project also provided 1500 employments opportunities to Pakistani peoples.

6. DUDDAR EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE  (click here for detail)

Duddar EPZ is a lead and zinc mining project. The project is developed by Messrs MRDL which is a subsidiary of China Metallurgical Construction Corporation (MCC). Operational activities started in the year November 2009.  Now Ministry of Industries & Production has extension in lease period of Duddar Lead-Zone Project in Lasbella District, Balochistan in favor of new operator company M/s. MCC Huaye Duddar Mining Company (Pvt.) Ltd., (MHD) for the period from 12-05-2016 to 14-01-2035. And new company started export activity and first export is seen in August, 2016 and presently export from Duddar EPZ valued US $ 30.894 million in 2019-20 and cumulative export is US $ 201.578.

7. TUWAIRQI STEEL MILL  EXPORT PROCESSING ZONE  (click here for detail)

The Tuwairqi Steel Mill EPZ in Bin Qasim area has been notified to operate over an area of 220 acres, being developed by a renowned Saudi Group namely  Messrs Al-Tuwairqi Group. The Zone was inaugurated in April 2006 and would produce steel billets/direct reduced iron based renowned DRI process with estimated investment of US$ 100 million.   Presently TSML is dormant.

1. DEVELOPMENT OF KEPZ PHASE-III

Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) has been established over an area of 305 acres in two phases. Phase-I is on area of 211 acres and Phase-II on an area of 94 acres. Both phases have been fully colonized.

80 acres of land are already available with EPZA for development of Phase-III but funding modality needs determination. it is likely to create around eight to ten thousand jobs.

The project completion time line will be three (03) years from the date of approval of PC-I.

 2. ESTABLISHMENT OF EPZ AT GAWADAR

Gwadar Export Processing Zone is to be developed on 1000 acres (50% BOT + 50% PSDP funding). Following results will obtained after development of Export Processing Zone in Gwadar: