Latest news with #SyedQasimNaveedQamar
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sindh to establish first Silicon Valley-style tech zone in Karachi
The Sindh government has received formal approval to develop the province's first Special Technology Zone (STZ) on a 500-acre site within Karachi Education City, Gadap. The project, greenlit by Pakistan's Special Technology Zone Authority, aims to transform the area into a hub for cutting-edge innovation modeled after Silicon Valley. Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Sindh Chief Minister on Investment, confirmed that eight major domestic and foreign investors have already expressed interest in the zone. The STZ will focus on smart manufacturing, housing institutions specializing in automation, cybersecurity, health tech, agri-tech, blockchain, 5G networks, and clean energy solutions. 'This Special Technology Zone will prove to be the best junction for the integration of academia and industry,' Qamar stated, emphasizing the zone's potential to drive technological advancement and generate employment. The development aligns with broader efforts to position Karachi as a regional tech leader, offering youth access to modern education and high-skilled job opportunities. He said that this Special Technology Zone will promote latest technology and education in the province and create vast opportunities for education and employment for the youth. Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar said that development work on the master plan based on the roadmap for the establishment of the Special Technology Zone is going on rapidly and this zone will soon become functional and will provide opportunities for education, latest technology and employment in the province.
Business Recorder
30-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Proposed project to connect port to Shahra-e-Bhutto discussed
KARACHI: Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh on Public-Private Partnership, Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar have discussed the proposed project to connect Karachi Port to Shahra-e-Bhutto (Malir Expressway) at Qayyumabad Interchange. They discussed the proposal during a meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, and Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh on Public-Private Partnership, Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, held at the Sindh Investment Department on Thursday. The meeting focused on a wide range of development initiatives including road infrastructure connecting port areas, a comprehensive truck logistics park, desalination plant at Karachi Port Trust (KPT), and integrated strategies for the development of the blue economy. It was informed in the meeting that the distance from Karachi Port to Qayyumabad Interchange is approximately 12 kilometres. On this occasion, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar said that the proposed project will facilitate the movement of heavy traffic to Karachi Port and the heavy traffic of the port will be able to get easy access to the M-9 Super Highway without entering the city roads. Federal Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry termed the project important and useful and assured his full cooperation to make it feasible. Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar said that the implementation of the project will reduce heavy traffic on the roads of Karachi city and increase traffic flow. It was informed in the briefing that the total portfolio of Public Private Partnership projects in Sindh has reached Rs 616 billion and all PPP projects have been declared successful. On this occasion, it was agreed to hold a meeting between the Sindh government and the Karachi Port Trust to make the proposed project of connecting Karachi Port to Shahrah-e-Bhutto feasible. Another major project discussed was the proposed construction of a truck logistics park near the Malir Expressway. Spanning over 300 acres, the park is strategically located due to its close proximity to city centres, port terminals, and direct access to the M-9 Motorway. This facility is aimed at organizing the growing number of heavy vehicles entering and exiting Karachi's ports daily. the installation of desalination plants at KPT was discussed to address Karachi's chronic water shortages. These plants would play a vital role in improving freshwater availability for both residential and industrial consumers, especially in port-adjacent areas. They also exchanged views on expanding the blue economy—harnessing ocean resources for sustainable economic growth while ensuring environmental conservation. The meeting was attended by Secretary Investment Sindh Raja Khurram Shahzad, Director General Public Private Partnership Unit Asad Zamin and other senior officers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sindh govt to provide ‘easy loans' to small, medium businesses
The Sindh government would provide 'easy loans' to small and medium businesses in the province and women to be given priority in providing loans, an official statement said on Tuesday. In this regard, the provincial government has signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with Bank Islami and Soneri Bank. Speaking on the occasion, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh on Investment and Public Private Partnership Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar said the agreements would provide loan facilities to small and medium businesses in Sindh on 'easy terms'. Sindh govt empowers low-income households with solar energy: Murad He added that priority would be given to women in providing loans, while technical assistance would also be provided to the businessmen. 'The agreement will also provide definite help in starting and expanding businesses.' Those engaged in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, poultry, cold storage, mining and other similar businesses in Sindh would be able to take advantage of the facility of the loans with Kibor based finance cost subsidies. He said the Sindh government was providing all possible support to encourage small and medium businesses in the province and in that regard, Kibor subsidy on loans was being provided by the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF).
Business Recorder
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sindh's public-private partnership investment portfolio reaches Rs616bn
KARACHI: Sindh's investment portfolio under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model has reached Rs616 billion, reflecting the provincial government's commitment to leveraging private sector participation for infrastructure development and economic growth. This was revealed by Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh on Investment and Public-Private Partnership, while speaking to Business Recorder on the sidelines of a high-level meeting with prominent industrialists and business leaders held at a local hotel here on Thursday. The meeting was held in light of the instructions of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and as a follow-up to a recent session chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. It aimed to brief stakeholders on Sindh's ongoing development initiatives and explores public-private collaboration opportunities. Leading members of the business community including MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Zubair Motiwala, Arif Habib, Arif Elahi, Danish Khan, Junaid Naqi, Zahid Saeed, Sameer Chinoy, and Danish Elahi attended the session. Also present were Sindh Secretary for Investment Raja Khurram Shahzad, Secretary Transport and Director General PPP Unit Asad Zamin, CEO Sindh Economic Zone Management Company Abdul Azim Aqili, and CEO Sindh Enterprise Development Fund Khizr Pervez, among other senior officials. During his address, Qasim Naveed Qamar welcomed the participants and emphasized the Sindh government's commitment to inclusive economic development through the PPP framework. He highlighted key opportunities in sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, innovation, and digital skills development. A detailed briefing supported by maps and charts was presented on current PPP projects, revealing that the total estimated portfolio stands at Rs616,299 million. Officials from the Investment Department and related agencies shared updates and responded to queries from the business community. The participants appreciated the Sindh government's efforts and suggested inviting representatives from all major business associations in Karachi to future meetings. Qasim Naveed Qamar agreed to the proposal and assured continued engagement with the private sector to ensure shared growth and development. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Sindh's PPP investment portfolio reaches Rs616bn
KARACHI: Sindh's investment portfolio under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model has reached Rs616 billion, reflecting the provincial government's commitment to leveraging private sector participation for infrastructure development and economic growth. This was revealed by Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister of Sindh on Investment and Public-Private Partnership, while speaking to Business Recorder on the sidelines of a high-level meeting with prominent industrialists and business leaders held at a local hotel here on Thursday. The meeting was held in light of the instructions of Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and as a follow-up to a recent session chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. It aimed to brief stakeholders on Sindh's ongoing development initiatives and explores public-private collaboration opportunities. Leading members of the business community including MNA Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Zubair Motiwala, Arif Habib, Arif Elahi, Danish Khan, Junaid Naqi, Zahid Saeed, Sameer Chinoy, and Danish Elahi attended the session. Also present were Sindh Secretary for Investment Raja Khurram Shahzad, Secretary Transport and Director General PPP Unit Asad Zamin, CEO Sindh Economic Zone Management Company Abdul Azim Aqili, and CEO Sindh Enterprise Development Fund Khizr Pervez, among other senior officials. During his address, Qasim Naveed Qamar welcomed the participants and emphasized the Sindh government's commitment to inclusive economic development through the PPP framework. He highlighted key opportunities in sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, livestock, fisheries, innovation, and digital skills development. A detailed briefing supported by maps and charts was presented on current PPP projects, revealing that the total estimated portfolio stands at Rs616,299 million. Officials from the Investment Department and related agencies shared updates and responded to queries from the business community. The participants appreciated the Sindh government's efforts and suggested inviting representatives from all major business associations in Karachi to future meetings. Qasim Naveed Qamar agreed to the proposal and assured continued engagement with the private sector to ensure shared growth and development. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
