Special Technology Zones Authority

The STZA was established to boost Pakistan’s Knowledge Economy through the development of a technology ecosystem by leveraging the Triple Helix Model of Innovation. STZA provides legislative and institutional support for the development of Pakistan’s technology sector. Through an ecosystem approach, we offer world-class physical & digital infrastructure and regulatory framework that can catapult Pakistan into a technology-driven future.

Universities R&D Facilities High-Tech Institutes Vocational Institutes Policies Incentives Regulatory Framework Legislative Support SMEs & Startups Technology Entities Venture Capital Firms High-Tech Production (ZE & ZD) Academia (STZA) Government (ZE & ZD) Industry

Strategic Objectives

Research And Innovation Job Creation Tech Export &Import Substitution Tech Transfer Human CapitalDevelopment Investments(FDI & Local)

Functions of STZA

One-Stop Shop for Investors

To provide a One-Window Facility to ease regulatory compliance for all potential investors.

Provide Legislative & Institutional Support

To formulate enabling policies to power the growth of the tech sector, and to provide institutional and legislative support to tech investors in synergy with all stakeholders and partners.

Special Regulatory Framework

To approve, issue, notify, enforce or cancel the licenses issued to Zone Enterprises and Zone Developers.

Global Outreach

To create opportunities and avenues to attract foreign direct investment into Pakistan’s emerging startup and tech ecosystem.

Provide Enabling Environment

Identify, create, and upgrade technological and scientific clusters and industrial support systems within STZs to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

License Types

Zone Enterprise

The Zone Enterprises (ZEs) are public or private sector technology companies or organizations, licensed to operate within a Special Technology Zone (STZ)

Zone Developer

The Zone Developers (ZDs) are public or private sector companies and organizations, licensed to develop and manage infrastructure within a Special Technology Zone (STZ)
Learn More

*Incentives

*Incentives

INCENTIVES TAX & DUTIES ECOSYSTEM FOREX

TAX AND DUTIES

Exemption of Profit and Gains under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

Exemption from Minimum Tax under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

Exemption of income tax on dividends & long-term capital gains of Venture Capital Funds from their investments in Zone Enterprises.

Exemption from all taxes & duties on import of capital goods (including withholding tax, sales tax & custom duties).

ECOSYSTEM

Human Capital Development

Job Creation

Research & Development

Accelerated Economic Growth

FOREX

Eligible for opening of Special Foreign Currency Accounts under SBP Regulations.

Special Foreign Currency Accounts can be fed with any proceeds from abroad without the requirement of conversion to PKR.

All legitimate payments abroad allowed from the funds available in the Special Foreign Currency Accounts, without any limitation or approval from State Bank of Pakistan.

Local payments from the Special Forex accounts allowed in PKR.

*Exemptions are valid for the period of 10 years from the date of issuance of license

One Window FRAMEWORK

Ease of Doing Business Enhanced Visibility & Tracking Integration with Regulatory Stakeholders 01 03 02
Soft-landing of foreign entities into the country Board of Investment (BOI) Complete access to Monetary Services including Currency Management State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Digital notarization of documents for security compliances Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Tax exemptions and complete access to the taxation regime Federal Board of Revenue of Pakistan (FBR) Single-entry access to complete visa and identification services National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) Seamless entity incorporation and access to a wide range of services Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP)

OUR Journey

journey-new-v1-MOBILE.png
2021 May – August STZ rules approved by cabinet.Applications open for the Islamabad Technopolis (ZE + ZD).STZA office setup begins in New State Life Tower. 2020-21 STZA Ordinance promulgated.Islamabad Technopolisinaugurated.STZA qualification & approval rules - stakeholders' consultation. December - April 2021 STZA Act 2021 promulgatedParticipation in DUBAI EXPO 2020 with President of PakistanNational Rollout Plan initiatedLahore Technopolis inaugurated as a Zone in Lahore September – December 2022 PAF-IAST inaugurated as a Zone in HaripurPakistan Digital City inaugurated as a Zone in HaripurNESPAK engaged for IslamabadTechnopolis Masterplan January – April 2022 September – December China-Pakistan S&T Cooperation Center launchedPakistan Maritime Science & Tech-nology Park inaugurated as a Zone in Karachi One Window integration agreement signed with SECPIslamabad Technopolis Masterplan approve by CDA 2023 January – April PC-I made part of PSDP IPAS for Islamabad TechnopolisInitiation of regulations and other regulatory frameworks 2023 May – August NASTP Alpha inaugurated as a Zone in RawalpindiNASTP Sierra inaugurated as a Zone in KarachiIncentives operationalized for STZA licensees: amendments made in tax legislation through SROsOne Window integration agreementsigned with PRALCompletion of regulations and other regulatory frameworks 2022 Initiation of ZE Licenses awardingContract signing of One Window Portal with Systems LimitedChina Pakistan Technology Invest-ment Conference (CPTIC) Co-hosted,Participated by over 4,500 Key Chinese Ecosystem PlayersAgritech Park inaugurated as a Zone in Faisalabad May – August

Application Process

Review and Decision All eligible applications are thoroughlyreviewed, and licenses are grantedonly after a unanimous decision bythe relevant STZA committees. 05 Submit Application Once the application is complete,proceed to submit the application. 04 Provide Details Please follow the documentschecklist and fill in all relevantdetails. 03 Select License Type Select the Zone Developer or ZoneEnterprise application. 02 Login (To One Window Portal) Provide required information tostart the application process. 01 Review and Decision All eligible applications are thoroughly reviewed, and licenses are granted only after a unanimous decision by the relevant STZA committees. 05 Submit Application Once the application is complete, proceed to submit the application. 04 Provide Details Please follow the documents checklist and fill in all relevant details. 03 Select License Type Select the Zone Developer or Zone Enterprise application. 02 Login (To Application Portal) Once the application is complete, proceed to submit the application. 01

Application Review Process

Arrival of Application One Window 1 Technical, Financial &Legal Evaluation STZ Committee 2 Descision of Approval or Return to STZ Com-mittee Approvals Committee 3 Issuance of License from Approvals Committee & Endorsement by Authority LicenseAward 4 Incentives Enablement via One Window Incentives Enablement 5 Annual Reports & Audited Finacials Monitoring & Evaluation 6
Apply for ZE
Apply for ZD

Strategic Alliances & partnerships

Reach us

Address

New State Life Tower, Plot#61, 16th Floor, F-7/4, Islamabad.

Contact Us

[email protected]
 (+92) 51-111-789-725        (+92) 51-111-STZ-PAK

Head Office

 (+92) 51-917-500-0

Important Links

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© 2024 Special Technology Zones Authority, All rights reserved.

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A comprehensive collection of resources necessary for effectively accessing and understanding STZA’s services, policies, and information.
 

Licenses issued to all the existing Zone Enterprises & Zone Developers are listed as per the zone and location.

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