- Saudi delegation announces private industrial estate in Punjab with decade-long tax exemptions
- Maryam Nawaz calls Saudi partnership ‘turning point’ for Punjab’s industrial growth, unveils initiative to fast-track foreign investments
- Saudi investors show interest in livestock, IT, mining, infrastructure and meat exports
- Prince Mansour reiterates SPJBC would coordinate closely with Punjab authorities to mobilise investors in key sectors
LAHORE: In the midst of efforts towards deepening economic cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, a high-level delegation of the Saudi-Pak Joint Business Council (SPJBC) on Saturday announced plans to establish a private industrial estate in Punjab, offering 10-year exemptions from taxes, income tax and customs duties for Saudi investors under a new Special Economic Zone (SEZ) initiative.
The announcement came after the delegation, led by Prince Mansour bin Mohammad bin Saad Al Saud, met Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in Lahore.
During the meeting, the delegation expressed strong interest in livestock, mines, infrastructure, meat exports, information technology, and other investment sectors, underscoring the growing partnership between the two nations.
CM Maryam Nawaz hosted a special dinner for the esteemed Saudi delegation, marking a new chapter in Pakistan-Saudi relations.
Discussions reaffirmed our strong partnership, with the delegation showing keen interest in major collaboration across Trade, Agriculture, IT, and… pic.twitter.com/UkynrxU4YC
— PMLN (@pmln_org) October 11, 2025
CM Maryam Nawaz described the engagement as a “turning point for provincial industrialisation,” adding that her government had launched a ‘Zero Time to Start’ policy to fast-track foreign and domestic investment projects. “A special fast-track desk has been established at the Chief Minister’s Office to facilitate the Saudi Industrial State,” she said.
The Punjab Mass Transit Authority also offered its technical services to Saudi authorities for the operation of the metro train in Makkah, further expanding the cooperation agenda between the two governments.
Investment incentives and cooperation framework
The meeting focused on investment-friendly policies in Punjab’s newly-designated Special Economic Zones (SEZs), where Saudi businesses will receive a decade-long exemption from taxes, income tax, and customs duties. Officials briefed the Saudi delegation on Punjab’s industrial infrastructure, agricultural reforms, and logistics corridors, noting that energy, agriculture, tourism, and mining were priority sectors open to international collaboration.
“The government is committed to ensuring a transparent, swift and secure business environment under clearly defined 30, 60 and 90-day action targets,” the Punjab CM said. “We are opening a new era of economic cooperation between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia,” she added.
Prince Mansour bin Mohammad bin Saad Al Saud appreciated the reforms introduced by the Punjab government and described Maryam Nawaz’s leadership as “impressive and dynamic.”
“Pakistan is one of Saudi Arabia’s top three economic partners. We will take full responsibility for exploring and utilising Punjab’s economic opportunities,” he stated.
He added that Saudi investors considered Pakistan as “a second home,” saying: “We have not come to merely invest but to support and strengthen our Pakistani brothers.”
Deepening bilateral ties
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia’s relationship transcends trade and investment, rooted instead in shared faith, friendship, and brotherhood. She said the historic defense agreement between the two countries symbolised the “unwavering determination to safeguard the sanctity of the Holy Mosques.”
We are profoundly grateful for the historic defense pact signed between Pakistan and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia last month during Prime Minister’s visit to Saudi Arabia. This agreement where any aggression against one will be considered as aggression against both. pic.twitter.com/ojVyoVU2W8
— PMLN (@pmln_org) October 11, 2025
“The leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has placed Saudi Arabia on a new path of progress and prosperity,” she said, adding that both nations were now positioned to lead regional cooperation.
She recalled that the friendly ties between former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Saudi Arabia spanned several decades, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ongoing visit to the Kingdom represented “a source of pride for the Pakistani people.”
CM Maryam Nawaz also expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for its humanitarian assistance during last year’s floods, describing Riyadh’s response as “a shining example of Islamic brotherhood and compassion.”
Encouraging the next phase of cooperation
The Punjab chief minister said that under the guidance of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the future of Pakistan-Saudi cooperation appears brighter than ever, particularly in the investment, technology, and energy sectors.
She added that Punjab—described as “the backbone of Pakistan’s economy”—was ready to serve as a gateway for regional trade, logistics, and joint industrial ventures. “In the Special Economic Zone, there are vast opportunities for investment in energy, agriculture, mining, tourism, and logistics,” she said.
Reaffirming her government’s commitment to sustainable growth, Maryam Nawaz noted that the ‘Zero Time to Start’ initiative was designed to remove bureaucratic delays and ensure that capital projects begin immediately upon approval. “Our focus is on creating a seamless system that converts proposals into ground reality within months, not years,” she added.
Saudi appreciation and future outlook
Members of the Saudi delegation expressed appreciation for Punjab’s hospitality and the government’s proactive approach to economic reform. They said their visit aimed to “launch a new chapter” in Pak-Saudi trade and investment ties.
Prince Mansour reiterated that the Saudi-Pak Business Council (SPBC) would coordinate closely with Punjab authorities to mobilize investors in key sectors and operationalize the proposed Saudi Industrial Estate.
The visiting delegation also thanked the Saudi ambassador in Pakistan for extending support to both public and private initiatives, including the provision of relief goods for flood-affected families.
CM Maryam Nawaz said she prayed that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia continue to serve as pillars of unity, peace and stability in the Muslim world. She emphasized that business relations between the two countries would “mark the beginning of a new era of economic partnership.”
“The people of Saudi Arabia love Pakistan deeply, and we, in turn, cherish their affection,” she remarked, adding, “Pakistan is the second home of Saudi Arabia, and this relationship of affection and fraternity will remain eternal.”
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