Director General of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), Syed Shujaat Hussain, announced that a new industrial zone will be established in the Surjani area after more than 30 years in Karachi.
Speaking as a chief guest at the Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industries (FBATI), he said that the industrial zone will accommodate new industrial units in state-of-the-art structures, providing essential infrastructure and utilities to cater to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The planned industrial zone, called the Surjani Industrial Zone, is expected to generate economic activities and jobs for the residents of Karachi.
DG KDA added that the Surjani Industrial Zone will be developed within the next three years and will also develop the adjacent residential societies. More than 500 plots, ranging from 500 to 2,000 acres, will be available through a private developer to set up industrial units, he added.
President of the Federal B Area Association of Trade and Industries (FBATI), Syed Raza Hussain, highlighted the issues and challenges facing industries and industrial zones in Karachi due to dilapidated infrastructure and rampant encroachments.
He said that major roads and intersections of industrial zones should be developed to maintain the smooth flow of cargo and passenger traffic. Authorities should also remove encroachments within the industrial zones and roadsides on an immediate basis.
He pointed out that the lack of facilities, including water availability, is hurting economic activities in Karachi and causing industrial units to relocate to different cities in Punjab.
CEO of FITE, Babar Khan, suggested that the KDA should appoint a focal person to address the issues of industrialists. He added that a one-window mechanism should be set up at the KDA for the immediate resolution of issues.
