KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, during his meeting with Australian High Commissioner Neil Hawkins, announced that his government has initiated several measures to attract local and foreign investments. The meeting, held at CM House, also saw the presence of Secretary to CM Raheem Shaikh.

According to Chief Minister Sindh, the discussions between the CM and the Australian High Commissioner covered mutual interests such as investment, climate change, the Indus Delta, and archaeology. During the meeting, Mr. Hawkins highlighted the historical significance of the Indus Delta and the need for its protection. In response, the CM emphasized Pakistan’s water scarcity issues, noting that Sindh, as a lower riparian province, faces water shortages and sea intrusion threats.

Mr. Shah detailed that besides Dhabeji SEZ, other zones like the Bin Qasim Industrial Park and Korangi Creek Industrial Park are ready for investment, with utilities and land available. Under the Sole Enterprise Special Economic Regulations, 2020, single enterprises investing at least USD 50 million can gain SEZ status, with two such zones already operational in Sindh.

The Chief Minister highlighted the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund’s role in mobilizing private investments of Rs 7 billion across sectors like agriculture and mineral processing, with a subsidy scheme enhancing productivity. This initiative has reportedly generated an economic impact worth ten times the invested amount.

Mr. Shah informed the Australian diplomat about pre-feasibility studies conducted by the provincial Investment Department in areas such as stones & granite, livestock, and food processing, available on the department’s website for investors. The Sindh government’s partnership with the World Bank Group has led to the implementation of the Doing Business Reforms Agenda, facilitating a 39-position rise in Pakistan’s Ease of Doing Business Index.

As part of the CLICK project, a one-stop regulatory approval system for 16 departments is in development to streamline investment procedures. The department is also collaborating with the Mines & Minerals Department to establish an SEZ in Tharparkar. The Investment Department remains dedicated to aiding investors and promoting Sindh’s investment-ready projects on both national and international platforms.

During the meeting, Mr. Hawkins shared his visit to Bambhore, where he noted a message by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in the visitors’ book, valuing its content and language. The CM and the envoy also discussed their shared interest in hockey, with Mr. Murad expressing that despite infrastructure investments, new talent has yet to emerge.