PESHAWAR, Sept 12: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has said that exploitation of mineral deposits will play a key role to stabilize the economy of the province. The government would facilitate investment in all sectors in Frontier>

He was talking to German industrialist Petter Rob at the Frontier House, Peshawar on Monday morning. Chief Executive Tahir Kan and General Manager Ijaz Kan, Meer Marble, Secretary Industry and DG Minerals were present on the occasion.

The chief minister said that his government had ensured an environment conducive for domestic and foreign investment. The process of leasing out mines to potential investors had been relaxed. The government would provide a lawyer to legally cover the leasing out of mineral sites to potential investors reducing the space for middleman or others who come to play bargaining and in the process the exploitation process is delayed.

He agreed to provide Rs 2.4 million for survey equipments to the mineral department adding that there were three avenues where the NWFP offers tremendous potentials. Tourism, mineral and water development etc were the real areas that can be developed and hopefully these sectors would prove to be real poverty reduction areas. He said that there was certain people who first negotiate the lease and then look to other parts for sell out. He directed to investigate such leases that were not realized. His government would initiate action against all those playing with the national interests.

The chief minister said an Australian company had intended to invest 500 million rupees and the Canadian company showed similar desire as well following the incentives given by his government in the investment conference. His government had already given unmatched concession and incentives to potential investors who would come to invest in the province. Even his government would give 25 per cent rebate in electricity charges to those would consume 0.5 megawatt of electricity. His government was going all out to revive sick industrial units in the province. It would facilitate the new ones and assured there would be no red-tapism and the process of facilitating investment would be accelerated. He welcomed the private investment in mineral sector adding that his government would not only provide necessary infrastructure but would facilitate and guarantee the investment.

He asked the officials of the mineral department to update the statistics indicating mineral deposits in various parts of the province including granites in Dir, Chitral, Malakand and Buner. The chief minister said that first there should be a process of evaluation determining the value of deposits that would lead to a final decision. He said that the government would like to refine the raw materials that would induct value addition and as such would bring more return.

Regarding the Bibi Wodgha road in Mansehra and more other access roads to mineral deposits, the chief minister directed the authorities concerned to submit a detailed report in this respect. The chief minister further directed to evaluate iron ore as indicated in Pezo and other parts of the province and if the quantity is of required standard the government would facilitate the potential investment to set up steal mills there.

During the meeting, various proposals came under discussion indicating promotion of mineral deposits in various parts of the province.—PPI