Balochistan uplift roadmap unveiled

[LRE]

Balochistan uplift roadmap unveiled

* WD-ADB report urges improvement in law and order in province

By Sajid Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) unveiled on Monday a roadmap for Balochistan’s economic development, and described economic opportunities in Balochistan as “instruments for higher economic growth in Pakistan”. The report – launched in Islamabad – observed that while development in Balochistan had lagged behind, it was now “high time to invest in the province so that Balochistan draws on its natural resources and strategic location to promote economic development”.

The report suggests that Gwadar be transformed into a full-fledged port by pursuing a land port model, in a bid to promote national exports and imports. It also proposes that regulations and coordination be improved through the Gwadar Port Authority. The report calls for tightening security and promoting the provincial level oil and gas cell to facilitate gas exploration in Balochistan. For the development of coastal areas, the report suggests that investment be made in the value chain, fish stock assessments be held to encourage private investment and shrimp farming be launched as a public-private partnership. It also proposes the establishment of a fish-processing city in Gwadar, the development of new fishing ports and capacity-building to manage common pool resources. In a bid to promote mining, the report calls on authorities to disseminate a geological survey of Pakistan to attract private investment. It also proposes that fiscal and regulatory reforms be pursued in mining.

Law and order: As part of efforts to link enterprises, the report has suggested that the government improve the law and order situation, reduce the cost of doing business and consolidate the national highway network.


http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg7_16