Towards the Development of Economically Vibrant Special Economic Zones in Pakistan

Authors

  • Ali Ozgen Project Manager at Hattar Special Economic Zone, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59926/jodprp.vol08/005

Keywords:

Special Economic Zones, Industrialization, Economic Growth, 2014 elections, Employment Generation

Abstract

This study explores the dynamics of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Pakistan, underscoring their crucial role in industrial development and economic growth. It examines the critical success factors shaping their effectiveness by analysing policy frameworks, case studies, stakeholder surveys, and field observations. The research highlights the importance of a conducive regulatory environment and robust infrastructure in fostering investment and building investor confidence. It underscores the necessity of effective institutions, transparent governance, and well-structured policies to accelerate industrialisation. Furthermore, it advocates for aligning economic zone policies with international best practices and broader economic objectives. Ultimately, this paper serves as a comprehensive resource for policymakers, investors, and stakeholders seeking insights into leveraging these zones to attract foreign investment, generate employment, and stimulate economic prosperity.

JEL Classification Codes: O11, O14, O25

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

ADB 2015, Asian Economic Integration Report: How can SEZs Catalyse Economic Development? Manila: Asian Development Bank, <https://aric.adb.org/pdf/aeir/AEIR2015_complete.pdf >.

Aggarwal, A. 2019, ‘SEZs and Economic Transformation: Towards a Developmental Approach’, Transnational Corporations, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 27-48.

BOI n.d.(a), ‘Special Economic Zone Framework in Pakistan’, Board of Investment, Government of Pakistan, <https://invest.gov.pk/sez> [Accessed 3 December 2024].

BOI n.d.(b), ‘Pakistan Investment Policy 2023’ Board of Investment, Government of Pakistan, <https://invest.gov.pk/sites/default/files/inline-files/Final%20PIP%202023-cs.pdf?gtranslate=en> [Accessed 19 February 2025].

Cheng, T. 2019, ‘From Special Economic Zones to Greater Special Economic Region: Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as a Model for Legal Infrastructure Design’, Transnationals Corporation Journal, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 75-78.

Daly, K. and Gedminas, T. 2022, The Path to 2075-Slower Global Growth, but Convergence Remains Intact, New York: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research Division, <https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/gs-research/the-path-to-2075-slower-global-growth-but-convergence-remains-intact/report.pdf>.

Dawn 2022, ‘Hattar Factory Owners want Taxes Withdrawn from Power Bills’, Dawn, 5 September, <https://www.dawn.com/news/1708438>.

Eckstein, D., Kunzel, V. and Schafer, L. Global Climate Risk Index 2021, ‘Who Suffers Most from Extreme Weather Events? Weather Related Loss Events in 2019 and 2000-2019’, Berlin: Germanwatch, <https://www.germanwatch.org/en/19777>.

Finance Division 2021, Pakistan Economic Survey 2020-21, Government of Pakistan, <https://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapters_21/Annex%20III%20SEZones.pdf>.

Frick, S. A., Rodriguez-Pose, A. and Wong, M. D. 2018, ‘Toward Economically Dynamic Special Economic Zones in Emerging Countries’, Journal of Economic Geography, vol. 95, no. 1, pp. 30-64, <https://doi.org/10.1080/00130095.2018.1467732>.

Khan, Z., Changgang, G., Afzaal, M., Ahmad, R. and Issack, A. S. 2020. ‘Debunking Criticism on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor’, The Chinese Economy, vol. 53, no. 6, pp. 477-487, <https://doi.org/10.1080/10971475.2020.1792065>.

Khandelwal, A.K. and Teachout, M. 2016, Special Economic Zones for Myanmar, London: International Growth Centre, <https://www.theigc.org/sites/default/files/2016/03/SEZs-in-Myanmar.pdf>.

Majeed, M.T. and Mazhar, M. 2019, ‘Environmental Degradation and Output Volatility: A Global Perspective’, Pakistan Journal of Commerce and Social Sciences, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 180-208, <https://hdl.handle.net/10419/196193>.

Ministry of Commerce 2022, GSP Plus Insight Pakistan, Treaty Implementation Cell, Government of Pakistan, <https://www.commerce.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/GSP-Booklet-17-03-22.pdf>.

Rasheed, H., Rasheed, B., Khan, A. and Ali, N. 2013, ‘Management of Hattar Industrial Estate’s Effluent by Phytoremediation Technology’, International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, vol. 4, no. 8, pp. 617-647.

Sharar, Z. and Al-Khulaifi, M. 2016, ‘The Courts in Qatar Financial Center & Dubai International Financial Center: A Comparative Analysis’, Hong Kong Law Journal, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 529-555, <https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2846978>.

Sustainable Development Solutions Network 2024, Sustainable Development Report 2024, The SDGs and the UN Summit of the Future, <https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/profiles/pakistan> [Accessed 9 November 2024].

The World Bank 2019, ‘Doing Business 2020: Accelerated Business Climate Reform Agenda Puts Pakistan Among Top 10 Improvers’, 24 October, <https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2019/10/24/doing-business-2020-accelerated-business-climate-reform-agenda-puts-pakistan-among-top-10-improvers>.

The World Bank 2022a, ‘Doing Business: Economy Profile Pakistan, Comparing Business Regulation in 190 Economies’, <https://www.doingbusiness.org/content/dam/doingBusiness/country/p/pakistan/PAK.pdf>.

The World Bank 2022b, ‘Pakistan: Flood Damages and Economic Losses Over USD 30 Billion and Reconstruction Needs Over USD 16 Billion - New Assessment’, 28 October, <https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/10/28/pakistan-flood-damages-and-economic-losses-over-usd-30-billion-and-reconstruction-needs-over-usd-16-billion-new-assessme>.

The World Bank 2023, ‘GDP Per Capita (Current US$)-China’, <https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.PCAP.CD?locations=CN> [Accessed 19 February 2025].

Transparency International 2022, ‘Corruption Perceptions Index’, Berlin, <https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2022> [Accessed 13 November 2024].

Ullah, A. 2017, ‘Impact of Drinking Water Contamination Caused by Hattar Industrial Estate on Health and Household Utility’, PhD Thesis, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, <https://prr.hec.gov.pk/jspui/bitstream/123456789/8104/1/Aziz%20Ullah_Env%20Sci_2017_Comsats_HSR-14-12-17.pdf>.

UNCTAD 2019, World Investment Report 2019: Special Economic Zones, Geneva: UN Trade and Development Geneva, <https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/wir2019_en.pdf>.

UNDP 2023, ‘Climate Promise: Pakistan: Asia and the Pacific’, United Nations Development Programme, <https://climatepromise.undp.org/what-we-do/where-we-work/pakistan>.

USIP 2023, ‘The Situation in Pakistan’, United States Institute of Peace, 23 January, <https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/01/current-situation-pakistan>.

WEF 2019, ‘Global Competitiveness Report, 2019’, World Economic Forum, 8 October, <https://www.weforum.org/publications/how-to-end-a-decade-of-lost-productivity-growth/>.

Published

2024-12-30

How to Cite

Ozgen, A. (2024). Towards the Development of Economically Vibrant Special Economic Zones in Pakistan. Journal of Development Policy Research and Practice (JoDPRP), 8(1), 59–78. https://doi.org/10.59926/jodprp.vol08/005

Issue

Section

Articles