Federal Minister Junaid Chaudhry has invited vanaspati makers to set up an edible oil industrial city at Port Qasim, offering land and facilities
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry has invited vanaspati manufacturers to establish an edible oil industrial city at Port Qasim.
He extended the invitation while addressing the Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturing Association (PVMA) after inaugurating its new house, saying the government would facilitate the project.
The government has pledged to provide land, infrastructure and other facilities to support the proposed edible oil city at Port Qasim. Officials said land would go to investors with viable business plans, while the ministry works to resolve existing land-related issues at the port over time.
Chaudhry said the edible oil industry already contributes significantly to government revenue. Imports in the sector generate substantial customs duties and sales tax, he said, making it a priority for further investment and expansion at the port.
The government intends to develop several industrial and commercial zones at Port Qasim to attract investment, boost manufacturing and promote exports. A 150-acre automotive processing zone is planned, with capacity to expand in phases according to market demand.
A separate 250-acre apparel zone is also planned. Its first phase alone is expected to create more than 138,000 jobs and generate annual exports of about $2.2 billion, Chaudhry said.
To tackle water shortages at the port, Chaudhry proposed building a seawater treatment plant under a business model developed with PVMA. Treated water would then be reused across industries operating at the port.
He invited PVMA to take part in the project and work with Port Qasim authorities to build and run a system that meets industrial water needs. The minister said the government was seeking greater private-sector participation to expand infrastructure and industrial activity at the port overall.
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