Khyber Pakhtunkhwa war-hit industrial, tourism sectors: vision documents for revival launched

The vision documents for revival of war-affected industrial and tourism sectors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa prepared by Sarhad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) with assistance of US Agency for International Development (USAID), and other relevant stakeholders was formally launched here on Tuesday. A formal launching ceremony held at SCCI to present the vision documents to the provincial government.
The vision documents' basic aims is to revive war-affected industrial and tourism sectors by achieving double-digit growth in industry and promoting tourism activities for brining improvement in present economic situation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. SCCI president Afan Aziz, during launching ceremony handed over vision documents on Industries and Manufacturing Sector and Tourism sector to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Khan Bilour.
The USAID Mission, Director in Pakistan Dr Andrew B Sisson, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minister for Industries Syed Ahmad Hussain Shah, Secretary Tourism Jamaluddin, industrialists, traders, officials from USAID, tourism departments and PDMA/PaRSSA and representatives of relevant stakeholders were present at the function.
SCCI president in his welcome address said that the vision documents had been compiled by the chamber after reaching an agreement with USAID in September, 2010, saying that the study was comprised six different sectors including industry, tourism, energy, public goods & services, business services and agriculture sector. "We are going to launch study for industrial growth and boosting up tourism activities in the Khyber Pakhtunkha," he informed.
He added that the documents envisaged for pragmatic approaches towards to expansion of industrial, various potential sectors for steering the present economic situation of the province. He maintained the documents had highlighted all issues hindering the economic, industrial growth, while identifying potential sectors for attracting investment and economic viability in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
SCCI chief expressed the hope that the studies would provide more utmost opportunities to boosting up industrial and tourism sectors while promoting economic activities. He extended special thank to USAID and other stakeholders for co-operation and support in finalisation of documents. "We expects from the government to implement in real shape for attainting the all objectives of this documents," he maintained.
Nauman Wazir, an industrialist said the documents identified all weakness and obstacles, which were damaging industrial sector and its drawback on economic and labour force. Syed Muhammad Ali, from Tourism Corporation KP gave a comprehensive presentation regarding the document on Tourism sector, and highlighted the sector role for generating economic activities in the province. He said the tourism sector was contributing about Rs 11.6 billion (US $134 million) per annum.
Adnan Sher, Office Director, USAID firms project, Islamabad, and Suleman Ghani, Senior Policy Advisor, USAID Firms project also gave a comprehensive presentations about preparation of the vision documents. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Senior Minister for Bashir Ahmad Khan Bilour, while addressing on the occasion said that the government had adopted active approaches for revival of economic activities. He said business and trade activities had adversely affected in wake of poor law and order situation.
However, he said the situation was improving every passing day because of cohesive steps of the present government. Bilour said the government was committed to reviving industrial and tourism sectors. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Minister for Commerce and Industries, Syed Ahmad Hussain Shah also spoke on the occasion and highlighted different steps for development of exiting industrial infrastructure and creation of new industrial zones in the province. He said the government was tackling with all issues confronting the industrial sector on priority basis. USAID, Mission Director, Dr Andrew B Sisson, while speaking on the occasion, said that the vision documents had much significance for economic development of the region.
He added that the all stakeholders had done a commendable job for finalising of the valuable documents, saying the implementation of the documents would improve economy of the region and also generate more employment and economic opportunities. Dr Andrew said that USAID had played integral role in economic and infrastructure development of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially in Federally Administered Tribal Areas. He further informed that the mission had adopted long term strategy for development of different sectors, like education, health, livelihood and other potential areas.