KARACHI, Dec 14: Pakistan is targeting over $100 million exports through participation in UN administered relief supplies for Afghanistan refugees.

Official sources said domestic suppliers would be encouraged to bid for delivery of food, tents and basic consumption items for refugees within Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The US Coordinator for Afghanistan Richard Hess told newsmen recently in Washington that Pakistan should participate and benefit from a lot of procurement that is going to take place. He said, “certain sort of assistance” would be needed from neighbouring countries.

As it is, the UN has been delivering 52,000 tons of food a month since October. The World Bank estimates that seven million people face risk of famine (or about one-third of the Afghans living within the country). Internally, 1.2 millions are reported to have been displaced.

Pakistan exported goods to Afghanistan worth $140.4 million and imported merchandise valued at $40.8 million in fiscal 2000-2001. Exports earnings were a mere $48.2 million in 1998-99 and imports amounted to $37 million.

In its Afghanistan reconstruction programme, the UN is expected to focus first on critical infrastructure destroyed by war. The UNDP estimates that in the first phase, the cost of public-works programme would exceed $650 million. These include building of roads, bridges and airports damaged by 23 years of war.

Afghanistan has an estimated gross domestic product of $2billion and per capita income of less than $80, down from $200 in 1979. The Afghans rely on agricultural output, livestock, home remittances and foreign trade. Under Taliban, it was also a tiny hub for regional smuggling.

Nearly, 80 per cent of the people are malnourished. Only 39 per cent of the boys and three per cent of the girls are enrolled in schools. The situation is far worse in higher education.

The Prime Minister-designate of Afghanistan Hamid Karazai said in a media interview on Thursday that institution building would be a priority area for him. Government institutions, it may be added, have either collapsed or are non-existent. These include central bank, finance and economic affairs ministries, without which external assistance cannot be funnelled.