President of Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) Mian Zahid Hussain has said that the all development projects must be completed well in time so that Swat can be integrated in the mainstream again. He said it would also help eliminate poverty in Swat. He said the efforts of Army have revived the destroyed economy of Swat but a lot has to be done to improve the situation.
"The area which was considered a heaven for the tourists received a severe blow due to terrorism which left the economy of Swat in tatters resulting in massive losses and unemployment," he said, urging federal and provincial governments to take steps to put Swat back on the track.
Mian Zahid stressed that the Swat chamber of commerce should also be taken on board to get desired results. He said that around 38% of the economy of Swat depends on tourism, 31% on agriculture while the orchard-rich valley provides some of the best fruits to the country's fruit markets. He said that support of the government cannot only increase production of fruits but also help country earn good foreign exchange through exports which will also change lives of local. He cited that Swat is also known for its honey while Swat River is replete with fishes including trout fish.
The PBIF president said that Swat's mineral wealth is mainly in kaolin, marble and emerald which are exported to international markets but this resource needs proper attention and exploitation, He said that value addition is almost nil. He said gems cutting and polishing can be a great means of earning of huge foreign exchange. "Use of wood as fuel has caused deforestation and wildlife has decreased with the loss of habitat which should be noticed by the policymakers," he suggested.
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