PESHAWAR: The US has offered investment in various sectors, including health, education, water supply, sanitation, agriculture and communications in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The offer was made by the newly appointed US Consul General Jon F Danilowiez and USAID deputy mission director Gregory F Huger during a meeting with Chief Minister Pervez Khattak here on Wednesday.

The US officials lauded the government and the people of KP for hosting millions of IDPs in different parts of the province with spirit of sacrifice and accommodation, according to a handout.

The chief minister thanked the US officials for offering assistance in various sectors and said that help of international community was direly needed for proper look after of the IDPs, especially meeting their health needs.

Mr Khattak asked foreign investors and companies to exploit potential of the province in mineral, tourism, communication and energy sectors. He also sought financial assistance in mega projects like Swat Expressway and Peshawar Mass Transit project.

The USAID official said that the agency was executing 400 megawatt Allai Khwar and Dubair Khwar power stations and 85 megawatt Kurram Tangi Dam, besides constructing irrigation schemes in Gomal Zam, Munda and Amandara command areas. Mr Huger informed that the USAID was also constructing Swat University campus as well as bringing improvement in electricity transmission lines in the province.

The US representatives lauded steps of KP government for elimination of corruption, reforming the departments and ensuring transparent use of foreign aid under Strategic Development Strategy Partnership. They said that these steps would greatly help in enhancing local and foreign investment and economic activities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Mr Khattak, however, complained about delay in implementation of development schemes, and said that if the delay was caused by his government departments and institutions then it must be pinpointed.

The chief minister also welcomed the offers of investment by the US ambassador in a project of scientific disposal of garbage in Peshawar and other big cities of the province.

Mr Khattak informed the US delegates that his government had adopted a policy of non-interference in public sector institutions, and had taken drastic measures aimed at bringing reforms and transparency in their functioning besides taking action against corrupt elements.

He hoped that friendly countries and donor agencies would continue to help his government in providing basic facilities of life in each and every corner of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in Dawn, October 2nd , 2014