Business

Reconstruction opportunity zones: US to set up zones in Sindh and Punjab as well

Bill expected to be tabled in Congress by March.

Irshad Ansari January 29, 2011

ISLAMABAD: The United States has agreed on establishing Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in flood-hit areas of Punjab and Sindh following an earlier plan to set up such zones in conflict-ridden provinces of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

US President Barack Obama’s Senior Adviser David Lipton, who is currently in Pakistan, assured Islamabad of cooperation in the construction of ROZs during his meetings with stakeholders including finance and commerce ministries, according to officials.

A bill regarding the establishment of ROZs is still pending with the US Congress but it is expected to be tabled before the newly elected Congress by March, according to Lipton.

The bill for creating ROZs was moved under the Bush administration but still awaits a congressional approval.

All products manufactured in these zones will have duty-free access to US markets.

It has been learnt that a foreign investment to the tune of $1.5 billion is expected with the construction of these zones, officials said.

According to the officials, Federal Commerce Minister Makhdoom Amin Fahim in a letter requested Lipton to consider setting up ROZs in flood-hit Thatta, Dadu and Badin in Sindh and Muzaffargarh in Punjab. The minister also requested some additions in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (3)

Sonia Sikander | 13 years ago | Reply This is a win-win situation for all concerned. Great post-job @interconnect is gratifying to see a thoughtful factual and constructive letter, maybe the Pakistani government needs more voices like yours to study the facts, make suitable recommendations to cement the wishes and dreams of all nations concerned. We seriously need an independent public relations department from the Government of Pakistan that is not beholden to any political or private interests but to further the interest of the business, entertainment, music and technology sectors to the rest of the world

Haroon Rashid | 13 years ago | Reply President Obama’s Senior Adviser David Lipton visit to extend cooperation in the construction of ROZs with stakeholders is welcome step for Pakistan. Honorable Advisor David Lipton Reconstruction needed for Railways which too suffered damages during floods, needed urgent attention. Pakistan has been with the US in Railways GE, Civil Aviation, Civil Aviation engines GE, Thermal power stations for utilities GE, Military aircraft as F-16s. Of course the Exim Bank has been considerate in the deals when applicable. Current orders went to General Electric for rail locomotives, despite the excellent deals for rail track, locomotives, technology transfer all from China. China with indigenous technology has won orders from US, so is UAE, Saudi Arabia and many more. Pakistan would require reconstgruction of rail track technology, and tracks itself. Exports of value added textile products as fashion garments to designer labels needed attention. Pakistan made up textile g arments, fashion designer garments are very healthy eand encouraging and US should send the number to keep REIT companies are flourishing in the US, and we have started with REIT's. The US REIT companies should look for investment in the real estate market of Pakistan and Karachi. Automobile production of GM Volt Electric Vehicle should be reciprocally be duty free if imported in CKD shape. Would bringing a bonanza. US Textile garment manufactuer sholdben.

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Interconnect | 13 years ago | Reply Honorable Advisor to US President Mr. David Lipton your visit is timely to Pakistan reference to the Re-construction of Opportunity Zones, and the duty free access from ROZ to the US markets. Excellency market access, preferential/free tax exports to the US markets should be across the board for Pakistant which was advocacy of Pakistan from the president to the small trader. Pakistan like the OIC, GCC member countries are very loyal to the US from the import of wheat for making wheat flour under PL-4 earlier, to civil aircrafts all Boeing, all GE engines in the aircrafts, all railway engines General Electric, or GE licensee. utility power plants all General Electric for thermal power generation, All soyabean from US, and all diapers from P&G. Despite the best relations of Pakistan with China which has been with Pakistan in all weather, seasons, years, times we're today purchasing GE railway locomotvies for state owned Pakistan railways. As you know in the recent tenders the US companies itself are buying Chinese rail technology on price/performance and recent tenders the Chinese companies has won contracts on price/performance. China is today leading in rail technology, and offers best value for the money. When Pakistan is so supportive to US, the US is not reciprocal for the sacrifices which Pakistan has made for the war against terrorism. Pakistan should at least be considered for duty free status and under GSP should be open for the exports of value added products in textile made up products, garments, and designer labels with license to open Pakistan brand outlets in the US for duty free imports. Our stock market with REIT companies is full of opportunity of US REIT companies to make investment in building commercial complexes, as this will bring construction technology in Pakistan. Construction of railway tracks for high speed rail, civil aircraft assembly, contracting from Pakistan for local and regional markets and other open heart gesture will win the heart of Pakistan which is struggling existence from inflation, identity thefts in land, property which technology will change in Pakistan.

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