Sources told Business Recorder that the land is ideal for computer and hi-tech manufacturers and online services like business processes outsourcing (BPOs).
In the past, a survey conducted by a foreign company showed that a 'silicon valley' in the proximity of Port Qasim could attract huge foreign investment, if the authority could develop modern infrastructure, which is required for grabbing potential foreign investment in information technology sector and allied services.
Sources said that the survey also indicated that the land is suitable and could cater future IT demands by establishing manufacturing units for computer hardware companies and software houses.
It is further suggested that the huge area of PQA would be converted into big software houses and IT Universities with research faculties.
Some IT companies of neighbouring country are planning to establish 'disaster management' systems for their clients abroad and the PQA land as well as vicinity is ideal to help building such centres.
Sources said that the infrastructure should be designed and made available for this purpose to grab the attention of such companies to consider shifting at PQA.
The area of Port Qasim, which is lying vacant for a long period, could be allotted to well-known international computer hardware manufacturer and software houses which could generate million of dollars.
In this regard, the authority has to draw a plan to market it in a professional manner that would eventually benefit the port and help increasing employment opportunities and transfer-of-technology in the country.
The valley could become hub for providing high-tech demand of Middle East and Central Asian countries.
The port planners said that some other places had been considered several times to develop as a trading hub for Central Asia and Middle Eastern countries, but this needed high volume of investment in the building of infrastructure.
But the PQA could easily build infrastructure in fast pace due its proximity with a metropolis instead of other location sans many facilities to set up a silicon valley.
Sources said the PQA has already become industrial zone as vehicle assembling plant, paint industry, plastic-manufacturing industry and polymer industry are already operating in the area.