QUETTA: Commercial banks would set up 79 branches across Balochistan, while a soft scheme would be launched for skilled women in the province, Governor State Bank of Pakistan Ashraf Mehmood Wathra said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference at the end of his two-day visit to Quetta, he said that after receiving a feasibility report on the proposed Balochistan Bank, the SBP would take steps to materialise the proposal.

Loans would be made available for skilled women in Balochistan on easy installments and the central bank would share risks with the commercial banks to root out their reluctance in this regard, the governor SBP stressed.

Branchless mobile banking system would also be introduced in different towns and cities of Balochistan while the SBP will soon open cash counters in Khuzdar and Gwadar, he added.

Replying to a question, governor State Bank disclosed that for stopping fake currency circulation in the country, an automation system has been planned and work is under way to issue readable currency notes. He said that in next three months, readable machines would be installed in 30 cities of the country including Quetta.

Responding to another question, Mr Wathra said that there was no issue of credit channel with Afghanistan while an agreement would soon be signed with the central bank of Iran which would facilitate the transaction of amount for the exporters of both the countries.

He further said a proposal for loan facility to the fishermen of Gwadar and other coastal towns of Balochistan could be considered.

He said that the executive officers of all banks have been directed to expedite banking services credit and loans so that trade is promoted in Balochistan.

The governor SBP said he has directed the resolution of problems pointed out by the president of Chamber of Commerce and Industries in Balochistan. Talks were held with Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Sanaullah Zehri and Secretary Finance in view of the improved law and order situation, the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the need for improving the banking activities in the province.

An audit team would be comprised to see into the complaints registered by youth in Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Scheme Programme. He informed that 50 per cent share in the said programme is that of females which has not been utilised and awareness needs to be crated amongst them in this regard.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2017