ISLAMABAD, September 25 — Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has invited vanaspati manufacturers to establish an Edible Oil City at Port Qasim, offering government facilitation as part of plans to expand industrial activity and attract private investment at the port.
Speaking to members of the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturing Association (PVMA) after inaugurating the association’s house on Friday, Junaid Chaudhry said the government would provide necessary facilities to support the industry in developing the proposed zone.
The minister said the edible oil industry was a major contributor to government revenue through customs duties and sales tax generated from imports.
He said the government planned to develop industrial and commercial zones at Port Qasim to attract investment, encourage manufacturing and increase exports.
As part of the expansion, a 150-acre automotive processing zone is planned at Port Qasim. Junaid Chaudhry said the facility could be expanded in phases according to market demand.
The government is also planning a 250-acre apparel zone at the port, with its first phase projected to create more than 138,000 jobs and generate around $2.2 billion in annual exports.
The minister said land-related issues at Port Qasim had been taken up and would be addressed gradually. Investors presenting viable business plans would be considered for land allotments, he added.
Junaid Chaudhry also addressed the water shortage at Port Qasim, proposing the establishment of a seawater treatment plant in collaboration with PVMA.
Under the proposed business model, treated seawater could be reused to meet the water requirements of industries operating at the port.
He invited PVMA to participate in the initiative and work with Port Qasim authorities on establishing and operating the proposed water-treatment system.
The minister said greater private-sector participation was needed to develop facilities and accelerate industrial activity at Port Qasim, with the proposed Edible Oil City and other specialised zones forming part of efforts to turn the port into a stronger manufacturing and investment hub.