Shakoor Baloch
A number of successful economies like China, Malaysia, Thailand, UAE and India have developed several Special Economic Zones to attract the foreign and domestic investors. The establishment of Small & Medium Enterprises Industrial Zone (SMEIZ) can accelerate the development process of industrialization in Balochistan.
The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is widely considered to be a game changer for both Pakistan and the region. It is a major stimulus for Pakistan, promising rapid economic growth, massive infrastructure development, 700,000 new jobs over the next fifteen years and the creation of special economic zones along the route. But Pakistan may not have developed the required foundations to realize the full benefits, CPEC has also triggered concerns that the local people might be left out of the gains.
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The Government of Balochistan should conduct an assessment study to understand local needs and business opportunities.
To encourage and benefit the local businessmen, it is important to encourage Small & Medium Sized local companies especially local youth Entrepreneurs to set up their businesses in Gwadar to have joint venture opportunities with national and international companies.
Government of Balochistan should conduct an assessment study to understand local needs and business opportunities
Balochistan offers unique features that give other complimentary conditions for investment in Balochistan. During the course of preparing this article a number of sectors have been identified which are expected to be particularly attractive for foreign and local investment.
Priority Sectors for Investment in Balochistan:
- Natural Resources and Industry
- Value addition through Processing and packaging industries of Agricultural Products, especially Apple/Dates/Apricot/Peach/Plum etc due to high local production
- Fisheries and Industries related to of aquatic food conversion of fish products and Shrimp
- Livestock (Export of Halal Meat)
- Handicrafts
Natural Resources and Industry:
The Government of Balochistan provides institutional arrangements but still there is dire need for the development of technologies for processing different indigenous ores to extract products of high commercial value which will bring socio-economic uplift, create job opportunities and induce more investment by contributing to export enhancement.
Read also: Development in Balochistan: 12 New Projects Included in CPEC
Presently more than 51 metallic and non-metallic minerals have been discovered in the Balochistan Province out of which 29 are being exploited including minerals such as chromite, copper, iron, lead, zinc, manganese, antimony and gold etc. whereas the non-metallic include barite, fluorite, calcite, magnetite, granite, coal and dimension stone such as marble both onyx & ordinary, granite, gabbro basalt and dunite etc.
The proper utilization of these natural resources can make the province, one of the richest areas of the world. So far very limited amount of these resources have been exploited. The natural wealth of Balochistan can be used to produce valuable goods for export and a sizable amount of foreign exchange can be earned.
Industry of the provinces with preparing the infrastructure, mobilize human resources and economic and social developments is possible to grow. Linking this section with other sections of the marine and fisheries industry and natural resources is a potential of Balochistan development.
Minerals Sector provides a large number of business opportunities, as mentioned below:
- Coal Mining and Processing
- Coal Washing Plants
- Coal Briquetting Plants
- Marble, Onyx and Granite Mining and Processing
- Marble/Granite Warehousing
- Marble, Granite and Onyx Mosaic & Handicraft Centers
- Mini Steel Mills
- Copper and Lead-Zinc Exploration, Mining and Processing
- Chromite Mining, Chromite Beneficiation Plants
- Export of Chromite
- Export of Marble, Onyx, Granite Products
- Barite Mining and Processing
- Limestone Mining & Crushing Units
- Gems Exploration, Mining
- Gems Lapidaries and Gemological Labs
- Manganese Mining, Processing and Export
Agriculture:
Balochistan, the fruit basket of Pakistan with the diverse temperate to sub-tropical and tropical, produces various fruit crops. The uplands are highly suitable for the production of deciduous fruits. This area is specialized in the production of apples, grapes, apricots, almonds, cherries, etc. Apple, apricot, cherry and peach are high delta fruits, grapes, olive pomegranate belong to low delta of the province. Traditional agricultural methods and unreliable water supplies are the main obstacles.
Balochistan contribute significantly in apple production of Pakistan. The export volume of apples is comparatively too low mainly due to lack of modern facilities such as processing, grading, waxing and polishing of the fruit. Pakistan exported 606,000 tons of apples in year 2014-15. Pakistan can become one of the major exporters of apples if proper processing/grading, Pack and storing techniques are used as per international standard.
According to Agriculture Department, more than 30% of vegetables/fruits are wasted due to negligence and lack of processing facilities, which could convert them into non-perishable form, permitting its transportation and storage without wastage.
Potential areas for investment in Agriculture Sector are given below:
- Corporate Farming
- Palm Tree Cultivation
- Palm Oil Expeller Units
- Solvent Plants
- Olive Cultivation & Processing
- Cotton Ginning Mills
- Cotton Seed Oil Expeller
- Rice Cultivation
- Rice Husk Mills
- Cultivation of Jetropha for Bio Diesel Production
Potential investments in Horticulture sector are as follows:
- Apple Treatment Plants
- Date Processing Plants
- Fried/dried Onion Plants
- Cool Chains
- Cold Storages
- Cut Flower Production
- Green House Farming/ Tunnel Farming
- Apricot Oil Extraction Plants
- Fruit Nurseries
- Fruit Packing Houses
- Canned Fruits with Syrup Processing Units
- Tomato Paste Manufacturing Units
Fisheries
Balochistan fishing grounds are highly rich in marine life with a vast variety of species having international commercial value. The total sea-coast of Balochistan is 1,100 KM. More than 30 species of shrimps, 10 species of crabs, 5 species of lobsters and about 70 commercial species of fish including sardine, Hilsa, Mackerel, Butterfish, Pomfret, Sole, Tuna, Sea Bream, Jew fish, Cat Fish, Shark, Eel and Shrimp are found on the Balochistan seacoast.
The development of fisheries sector could increase the living standard of the people residing around these coastal areas.
Potential investment is foreseen in the following areas:
- Fish Processing Plants
- Shrimp Farming
- Shrimp Processing Plants
- Shrimp Aquaculture
- Tuna Fishing
- Sea Food Processing Plants (Fish Flour, Fish Minced Meat, Fish Protein Concentrate)
- Tin/Can Manufacturing Units
- Boat Manufacturing Units
- Fishing Net Manufacturing Units
Livestock & Rangelands
Livestock plays an important role in the economy of Balochistan in terms of income and employment. Balochistan atmosphere suits for livestock production. Balochistan can become a hub of Halal Meat Industry, halal industry is globally fast emerging business, and attracting 2 billion people both Muslims and non-Muslims due to safer, hygienic and nutritious having high quality and reliability. Pakistan has immense potential to get big share in global halal market because Pakistan is an agriculture state with more than 169 million heads of quality livestock with 74 million cattle and buffaloes and 95 million sheep and goats.
Potential Projects in livestock sector are as under:
- Halal Meat Processing Units Layer Farming
- Milk Production and Packaging
- Goat and Sheep / Cattle Fattening Farm
- Dairy Farms
- Modern Slaughter Houses
- Wool Processing
- Tannery
- Sausage Making
- Ostrich Farming
- Bee Farming
Transit, Transport & Tourism on CPEC Route:
Transit and Transport industry today is considered as a one of the most lucrative businesses around the world and naturally the countries along the transit corridors are able to take maximum advantage of this trade.
Aside from its role in increasing foreign exchange earning industry, another important consideration which is not less important is the development of the tourism industry. According to prediction of experts, tourism will be the world’s top industry in the future and then it will be obvious that without the development of the transportation industry as one of the factors facilitating this industry, tourism development seems to be impossible.
Potential Business in Gwadar
- Vehicle Auto Parts Unit
- Small Cargo Handling Vehicles Manufacturing Unit
- Transit Cargo (Liquid and Dry Bulk)
- Marine related industry i.e. Shipyards, Dry Dock and Repair Yards
- Marine Fuel bunkering for visiting ships to include large fuel storages and mobile barges etc
- Warehousing and Assembly Industries
- Oil Storage, Refineries, Petrochemical Industries etc.
- Tourism related industry including Coastal Beach Resorts *, Ferry & Boat Service, Water/Theme Park, Water Sports, Scuba diving etc.
- Ferry services between Gawadar-Karachi/Oman/Bunder Abbas and UAE.
- Ready Mix Cement & Concrete Plants
- Stone Crushing Units
- Cement Plants
- Mini Still Mills, Steel Rerolling Mill
- Picking and Harvesting Apparatus Industry
- Fiber Boat Manufacturing Unit
- Net Manufacturing Unit
- Cool Chains/Cold Storages
- Juice Producing and Packing for Fresh Fruits
- Canned Fruits with Syrup Processing Units
- Shrimp Farming & Processing Units
- Sea Food Processing Plants
- Tin/Can Manufacturing Units
- Value Addition and Ready to Cook Products (Halal)
- Marble, Onyx and Granite Mining and Processing
- Ferrochrome Plants
- Chrome Magnetite Bricks Plants
- Coal Fired Power Plants
- Water Treatment Plant
- Plastic Recycling Plant
- Ice Factory
Writer is Provincial Chief of Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA)
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