ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Commerce, Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan said that a food processing plant would be set up near Gilgit to enhance export of fruits being produced in Gilgit- Baltistan (GB).
"The required land would be purchased from the locals to set up the plant," he said while talking to journalists here on Wednesday.
According to Asian Development Bank (ADB), over 100,000 metric tons of fresh apricots, 4,000 tons of cherries and 20,000 tons of apples are being produced in Gilgit-Baltistan annually.
The Minister informed that a free trade zone would also be established in Gilgit-Baltistan to boost trade and business opportunities besides creating jobs for local.
He said, the shifting of dry port from Sust to Havailian would further benefit the people of the area.
Commenting on importance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said, the Corridor passing through Gilgit-Baltistan in the North to reach the Gwadar port in the south of the country would bring prosperity in the country, especially in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The Corridor would prove as a milestone in the history, he said, adding, this framework would also promote the tourism in GB, which would ultimately provide benefit to local public.
It may be mentioned that the CPEC will boost tourism of 73,000 sq kilometers region, which is called a paradise for mountaineers and is home of five of the eight peaks above 8,000 meters as well as more than 50 mountains over 7,000 meters besides being home to the world's second highest peak K-2 and the Nanga Parbat.
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