PESHAWAR: US Consul General Dr Mary Richards at Peshawar on Wednesday visited Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KPCCI) and assured her government's resolve of extending trade relations with Pakistan.
The US Diplomat called on President of KPCCI Affan Aziz and agreed to the proposal of the traders for restoration of the trade trust between Pakistan and USA especially the Public Private Partnership.
Keeping this fact in mind the US Government has allocated a big chunk of the fund to be disbursed to Pakistan under Kerry-Logar law for rehabilitation of the flood affected people, and execution of uplift projects in sectors of agriculture KP.
The US Government provided US$ 2 billion to Pakistan last year of which 588 million dollars were spent on rehab of the flood affectees. The major portion of the Kerry Logar funding would go to Fata and KP, she said adding funds have also been provided for construction of Gomal Zam Dam, reconstruction of schools and hotels in Swat.
The US Government also provided funds for providing jobs to 10000 jobless affected by the militancy and 30000 women for economic development. She said that US with the collaboration of USAID was striving for the establishment of Investment Promotion Council which will have presence in Fata as well.
She reiterated that US government was also working on fast pace for the setting up of Reconstruction Opportunity Zones and the law to this effect would soon be passed from the US Congress.
President of KPCCI Affan Aziz in his address on the occasion demanded provision of funds under Kerry Logar law for the business community of KP. He underscored the need for promotion of trade relations with the US government instead of aid. He maintained the KP badly suffered due to militancy and its economy could be revived if US investors invest in this region.
Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011
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