Management companies responsible for developing the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across Pakistan have been irked by the way different regulatory institutions associated with the process are handling matters. However, on the other hand, there is duplication of roles of inefficient state agencies in the management of SEZs, which make processes lengthy. According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), in developing Asia, the foreign direct investment (FDI) attracted by economies that do not have SEZs is 82.4% lower than those with SEZs. All such factors are not favourable for a smooth development of the nine SEZs within the set time frame. Regional countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam may be the next venues under the global shift for different companies trying to relocate from China.

Source: The Express Tribune November 02, 2020 03:45 UTC