Various types of quality promotion materials are also being published bringing into spotlight various sectors of Sindh economy as well as pitching specific projects to potential investors. In addition, delegations comprising concerned stakeholders are taken to various countries for participation in various trade-related events and for organising road shows and marketing events by the SBI itself.
Sindh Enterprise Development Fund Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF) has been incorporated as a public company supervised by the Board of SBI consisting of members from public sector as well as private sector. A sizable fund has been placed at the disposal of SEDF to support Sindh-based entrepreneurs willing to engage in value addition enterprises especially in agriculture. As such, currently a facility is being offered through which KIBOR interest on the loans taken by the entrepreneurs is paid by SEDF on the latter's behalf for a period of 03 years. Another major initiative on SEDF platform is a interest-free loan scheme about to enter execution for upgradation of existing rice mills in Sindh. This project has been jointly developed in collaboration with State Bank of Pakistan.
Sukkur Dry Port Sukkur Dry Port is a strategic project specifically aimed at facilitating businessmen of Sindh engaged in international trade especially export. The project remained on the backburner after it was proposed in 1998 by Sukkur Chamber of Commerce and Industry because of lack of ownership by any governmental body and lack of funding. SBI has taken up the sponsorship of the project after approval of Chief Minister of Sindh and necessary funds have been pledged as well. The project will be built on around 50 acres at a carefully selected site after careful planning to ensure success of the project. Currently, SBI is procuring consultancy services for feasibility study, initial master plan and transaction advisory services. SBI has proposed to establish Sukkur Dry Port on public-private partnership mode.
Marble City Marble City is another key demand-driven project being sponsored by SBI. It is strategically located near Northern Bypass near Karachi Port. The purpose of this project is to facilitate domestic and foreign investor to engage in value addition of marble and granite using latest technologies. This is to be accomplished by providing a dedicated production site in the form of Marble City comprising 300 acres divided into 1-acre plots. The City will be properly planned, developed and secured to offer peace of mind to investors. Currently, land stands acquired while consultancy services are being procured for master planning and transaction advisory.
Khairpur Special Economic Zone According to a new federal act pertaining to special economic zones, investment boards of the provinces has been designated as focal organisations for supervision of all SEZs in their respective jurisdictions. As such, SBI is now supervising the development of KSEZ located on the outskirts of Khairpur on main National Highway. The goal of this project spread over 136 acres is to offer well-planned and developed plots to entrepreneurs to set up agro-processing units and other agriculture-related enterprises like cold storages and so on. KSEZ shall have a captive power plant of 20 MWs to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Development work is in progress.
Education City Education City is an ambitious project that was first proposed by Planning & Development Department of Sindh but later handed over to SBI for overall management. The project comprises approximately 10,000 acres and is situated on main Super Highway midway between Malir Cantonment and DHA City. 70% of the land has been allotted for proposed establishment of universities like Agha Khan University, SZABIST, Sir Syed University, Karachi School for Business and Leadership and so forth. Master planning has been completed and plots have been handed to stakeholders. Development of infrastructure is going to be a capital-intensive exercise for which various ways and means are being explored.