August 30, 2007	Thursday	Sha'aban 16, 1428

PESHAWAR, Aug 29: Legislation for establishing Reconstruction Opportunities Zones in Pakistani tribal areas will be tabled in United States Congress by Sept 4 for final approval, according to representatives of a US lobbying firm visiting Pakistan.

Donovan Picard and Milton Bearden of Hunton and Williams represent a US-based lobbying firm hired by the government of Pakistan to lobby in the United States the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones.

They are currently here to discuss local business community’s proposals, an SCCI official at told Dawn.

The Congress’ approval will pave ways for creation of the zones in tribal areas in line with an announcement made by President Gorge W. Bush in 2006 during his visit to Islamabad. Products to be manufactured in the zones would have duty-free access to US markets.

The two lobbyists held a meeting with office-bearers of the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here on Wednesday.

Some proposals had been put forward by SCCI president Liaqat Ahmad Khan, executive members Ghazenfar Bilour, Zahid Arif, Mohammad Amin, Shahid Munir and Sharafat Ali Mubarik.

Members of the US lobbying firm briefed the SCCI office-bearers about the proposed zones, and said that Washington wanted social and economic uplift of the Frontier province and tribal areas.

They said that the bill would be presented in the US Congress for final approval by Sept 4, enabling the US government to go ahead with the project.

The US firm’s representatives agreed with the SCCI proposal about the inclusion of products other than textiles, like furniture, marble, gemstone, pharmaceutical and other items to be manufactured in these zones.

Earlier, Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Liaqat Ahmad Khan proposed that the zones should be set up in settled areas near tribal areas, benefiting local people.