# SIFC Consults Punjab on Islamabad Special Economic Zone Site as ICCI Delegation Meets

> SIFC is consulting Punjab to find land for a special economic zone in Islamabad and endorsed an exhibition centre proposal at a meeting with the ICCI.

- Published: 2026-10-31T02:09:00+00:00
- Section: Expansion
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-31/sifc-islamabad-special-economic-zone-site
- Source: [Business Recorder](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40446773)

## Key takeaways

- SIFC is consulting the Punjab government to identify a site for a special economic zone in Islamabad.
- SIFC National Coordinator Lieutenant General Asad ur Rehman Afzal Cheema endorsed a proposal for a state-of-the-art exhibition centre in Islamabad.
- An ICCI delegation will visit SIFC next week to learn about its facilitation measures.

The Special Investment Facilitation Council is consulting the Punjab government to identify a site for a special economic zone in Islamabad, SIFC National Coordinator Lieutenant General Asad ur Rehman Afzal Cheema said at a meeting with an Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry delegation, [Business Recorder](https://www.brecorder.com/news/40446773) reported. The matter is likely to be resolved at the earliest, he said.

## SIFC Talks Site With ICCI Delegation

The ICCI delegation was led by President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia and included Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha and Secretary General Ghulam Murtaza. Zia called for a suitable site for a modern industrial estate in Islamabad, saying it would open opportunities for industrial expansion, investment and employment. He also pressed for an international-standard exhibition and convention centre to host national and international exhibitions and promote exports.

Cheema endorsed the exhibition centre proposal, recognising its significance for trade, investment and business activity. He said the business community could submit regulatory and administrative issues through the SIFC portal, which refers complaints to relevant government departments. He also pointed to the investment potential of the Karachi Industrial Estate and encouraged businesses to explore it.

Chatha raised issues concerning the Capital Development Authority and the Federal Board of Revenue, saying administrative and regulatory bottlenecks were impeding private-sector growth. Zia cited State Bank of Pakistan regulations on debt recovery and high port charges as difficulties for businesses, and called for a predictable economic policy framework with a minimum 10-year horizon.

## Islamabad's Recent Business Calendar

Islamabad is preparing for a three-day tourism, sports and family festival on November 6–8 at the Pakistan Sports Complex, with around 150,000 visitors expected, Business Recorder reported on October 25, 2026. On October 9, 2026, Propakistani reported that Islamabad is set to become Pakistan's first plastic-free city under a new government initiative aimed at reducing pollution and improving the capital's appearance.

## Other Zones Drawing Investment

Invest Johor identified five sectors for Nexus Sedenak under the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone: advanced manufacturing, integrated logistics, agricultural and food technology, green technology, and pharmaceuticals, [The Edge Malaysia](https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/823960) reported on October 30, 2026. The area targets RM12 billion in investments and 45,000 jobs.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick visited GlobalFoundries' Malta headquarters on October 21, 2026, promoting the company's $21 billion Japan-backed expansion of its Saratoga County complex, [American City Business Journals](https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/news/2026/10/21/globalfoundries-lutnick-visit.html?ana=brss_6222) reported. CPC and Inacap presented President Kast with a development plan for Atacama identifying 156 investment projects worth $40.887 billion, [Diario Financiero](https://www.df.cl/regiones/atacama/cpc-e-inacap-identifican-156-proyectos-por-us-40-887-millones-en-atacama-y) reported on October 20, 2026.

## ICCI Delegation Due at SIFC

An ICCI delegation of representatives from various business and industrial sectors will visit SIFC next week to learn about the council's facilitation measures and its work on ease of doing business, according to the [chamber's announcement](https://icci.com.pk).

## Companies in this story

- Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry · website: https://icci.com.pk

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