Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has launched the Chief Minister Pink Salt Value Addition Financing Scheme, offering interest-free loans of up to Rs50 million to encourage local processing, increase exports, and strengthen Pakistan’s pink salt industry.
Under the scheme, investors can obtain interest-free loans ranging from Rs5 million to Rs50 million to establish or expand processing facilities. Applications can be submitted online through the Mines and Minerals Department.
The chief minister also announced the development of a 110-acre Pink Salt Mineral Processing Zone near Quaidabad.
Officials said the zone will house more than 200 processing units, attract investments worth Rs150 million, and generate around 10,000 direct employment opportunities. A business facilitation centre and a model retail outlet will also be established to support investors.
The financing scheme covers the establishment of salt processing, grinding, refining, cleaning, and packaging units. Investors can also use the loans to purchase machinery, equipment, and export-standard technology, with repayment spread over five years in easy instalments.
According to officials, increased value addition and exports of pink salt could generate up to $300 million annually in foreign exchange.
They added that digitized lease and license auctions have significantly increased departmental revenue, with bids of Rs471 million received in the first phase and Rs2.5 billion in the second phase.
