Export-oriented publishers and printers cities to be set up

Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and National Book Foundation (NBF) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop two 'Publishers & Printers Cities' in the country. The proposed cities would be established in Peshawar and Karachi initially within 24 months.
According to the MoU, TDAP and NBF shall work jointly to enable the proposed cities to cater for the development and enhancement of publishing and printing capacity of Pakistan. An overall aim is to make Pakistan a source of competitive publishing and printing for local and export needs and in particular as a hub of the region.
These publishing and printing cities in the concept of 'cluster development' shall be set up to provide infrastructure and utilities to local as well as foreign publishers and/or printers, other stakeholders who may be interested in availing of the facilities. This is to develop state of the art printing and publishing facilities of their own, in the area.
The parties shall jointly set up, develop, and maintain quality control training facilities and other related common utilities and facilities/services in the proposed cities to cater for the quality management and training needs of the work force both for domestic as well as international market.
TDAP and NBF shall jointly establish a Limited Liability Company under the Companies Ordinance, 1984 to achieve the desired goals. Whereas, unless and until the said company is being set up, the spadework shall be carried out by a steering committee to be headed by CEO, TDAP.
TDAP shall be responsible for providing necessary funds to meet the cost of setting up, establishment and development of infrastructure and utilities for the proposed cities.
While the NBF shall provide funds in the form of land for setting up, establishment and development of proposed cities. The control of the company shall rest with the Board of Directors, who shall be appointed by the respective ministries of TDAP and NBF. The MoU was the result of discussions between TDAP and NBF to work in collaboration with each other to improve the economic situation of the country in general and to improve export related activities in particular by adopting development measures.
TDAP and NBF found it conducive to the economic interest of the country to provide a common platform to local and foreign publishers and printers and related stakeholders to enable them to effectively produce high quality and competitive published/printed material particularly relating to exports from Pakistan. Trade Development Authority and National Book Foundation, hence, found it expedient to work together to create awareness amongst the publishers and printers on the export potential of this sector.