October 10, 2006	Tuesday	Ramazan 16, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Oct 9: The United States has asked Pakistan to consult Afghanistan on the establishment of proposed reconstruction opportunity zones (ROZs) in the economically deprived areas on both sides of Pakistan-Afghan border.

Well-placed sources told Dawn on Monday that the direction came from the US side during the recent visit of top USTR official delegation that met Pakistani officials as part of the Pakistan-US Council under the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).

"The government of Pakistan has formally agreed to consult with Afghanistan on ROZs in the meeting," a source privy to the meeting told Dawn. However, the sources said the USTR officials were already in contact with the Afghan officials on the establishment of the proposed ROZs in Afghanistan.

US President George W. Bush had accepted the Pakistani proposal of ROZs in his last visit to Pakistan. Mr Bush had announced that the trade zones established in the remote areas (tribal and border) would get duty free access on goods exported to the US market.

However, it was not clear at the time of the announcement of the facility that Pakistan would share these zones with Afghanistan, the sources added. Pakistan initially proposed 20 districts for the establishment of ROZs.

The sources said that leading Pakistani businessmen who were invited to the meeting with the USTR delegation had also showed their unwillingness to share these zones with Afghanistan. They were of the opinion that Afghanistan had no infrastructure or other expertise in the field, so it would not be advisable to go for the joint venture with them.

The businessmen have demanded that these ROZs should be located in some settle areas for its economic viability and longer life to provide employment to greater number of people, added the sources.

The sources said the USTR delegation had categorically conveyed to the Pakistani delegation that the Congress would give authorisation for the ROZs only when the same facility would be allowed for Afghanistan. This would be on the pattern of the US facility of the qualified industrial zones (QIZs) mandated into law by the Congress only for Israel and Jordan.

Currently, the US technical teams were visiting various part of the country to interact with different stakeholders to finalise their recommendations regarding areas for the proposed ROZs, list of items and other procedures.