Pakistan Industries News / Updates
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hydrabadi_arab
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Challenge SEZ secures financing for Phase-I development
- Closing paves the way for the commencement of large-scale development activities
Challenge Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Lahore has achieved financial close for its first phase after signing financing agreements with a consortium of banks and financial institutions, clearing the way for large-scale development of the export-oriented industrial project.
The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) facilitated the successful signing of financing agreements for the first phase of the Challenge SEZ in Lahore, at a ceremony held at the Prime Minister’s Office, Islamabad, on Wednesday.
Secretary SIFC, Jamil Ahmad Qureshi, commenced the ceremony by highlighting the significance of SEZ development in Pakistan and assured continued support from SIFC, read a statement.
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhter witnessed the signing ceremony.
The signing ceremony celebrated the successful completion of the financing arrangements for Phase-I of the Challenge SEZ Lahore project, developed by Challenge Fashion (Pvt.) Limited (CFL). With the financing documentation finalised and executed by the participating financial institutions, the project has achieved financial close, paving the way for the commencement of large-scale development activities.
The ceremony brought together senior representatives of Challenge Group and leading financial institutions, including The Bank of Punjab, Pak China Investment Company Limited, Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited, Bank of Khyber, BankIslami Pakistan Limited, and Pak Libya Holding Company Limited.
The Challenge SEZ is a significant industrial project located on the Lahore-Kasur Road in Punjab. It is being developed by Challenge Fashion (Private) Limited (CFPL), a wholly Chinese-owned subsidiary of Shanghai Yuanyi Industry Co Limited.
The SEZ, spanning 99.45 acres and purposed for the textile and allied industry, was granted official status by the Board of Administrators of the Board of Investment (BoI) in December 2022, following an application received in July 2022.
The first phase of the zone is expected to be completed next year, generating approximately 8,000 jobs.
The SEZ is envisioned as a modern industrial hub that will promote export-oriented manufacturing, attract domestic and foreign investment, generate substantial employment opportunities, and strengthen industrial value chains.
As per the statement, the project is expected to contribute significantly to Pakistan’s economic growth by enhancing industrial productivity, encouraging technology transfer, and expanding the country’s manufacturing base.
“The successful execution of the financing agreements demonstrates the growing confidence of Pakistan’s banking and financial sector in strategically important development projects being facilitated through SIFC.
“It also reinforces the government’s commitment to creating a transparent, predictable, and investment-friendly business environment that supports sustainable economic growth,” it added.
hydrabadi_arab
Trusted Member
Pakistan need 20 of these to double the textile exports.
ACE OF HEARTS
Registered Member
1. Labour board,
2. environmental certification,
3. chemical / acid handling / storage certification
should be all computerised without any government or relevant agency personnel coming into contact with the industrialist.
2. environmental certification,
3. chemical / acid handling / storage certification
should be all computerised without any government or relevant agency personnel coming into contact with the industrialist.
ghazi52
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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- #125
Cement FY26: Domestic demand takes the lead
July 31, 2026BR Research
Pakistan’s cement industry closed FY26 on a firmer footing. Total dispatches reached 50.58 million tons, up 7.6 percent from 47 million tons in FY25. This was the strongest volume performance in several years and the second consecutive year of growth. More importantly, the recovery came from where producers would prefer it to come: the domestic market.
Local dispatches rose 10 percent to 41.57 million tons, adding nearly 3.8 million tons during the year. Exports, which had kept plants running while domestic construction remained in the trenches, declined 2.1 percent to 9.01 million tons. Their share in total dispatches consequently fell to around 18 percent from nearly 20 percent last year.
This marks an important shift in the sector’s sales mix. Between FY22 and FY25, high interest rates, inflation, weak household purchasing power and cuts in development spending brought construction activity to a standstill.
Producers increasingly turned abroad, even though exports generally offer weaker prices and carry higher freight and handling costs. In FY26, the local buyer finally returned.
ghazi52
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
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- #126
The regional numbers show where the recovery came from. North-based dispatches increased 7.5 percent to 35.5 million tons, driven by an 11 percent increase in domestic sales.
Northern exports, however, more than halved to 0.78 million tons as the closure of the Afghanistan border disrupted cross-border shipments. South-based dispatches grew 7.8 percent to 15.08 million tons.
Domestic sales in the south increased 6 percent, while exports rose 9 percent to 8.24 million tons, supported by access to seaborne markets.
June provided a strong finish, although the numbers come with a low-base caveat because Eid holidays had fallen in June last year.
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