Govt to establish edible oil city at Port Qasim

Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has invited vanaspati manufacturers to establish an edible oil industrial city at Port Qasim. During the inauguration of the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturing Association's house, the minister announced the government's support for the industry in setting up the proposed zone and providing necessary facilities.

Chaudhry highlighted the edible oil industry's significant contribution to government revenue, generating customs duty and sales tax from imports. To attract investment and promote manufacturing and exports, the government plans to develop industrial and commercial zones at the port. This includes a 150-acre automotive processing zone, which can be expanded in phases based on market demand, and a 250-acre apparel zone with the first phase expected to create over 138,000 jobs and generate $2.2 billion in annual exports.

Land issues at Port Qasim have been addressed, and investors with viable business plans will receive land allotments. Chaudhry also proposed a seawater treatment plant to address water shortages, inviting the PVMA to collaborate in establishing and operating the system. The minister emphasized the government's call for increased private-sector participation in the development of facilities and industrial activity at Port Qasim.