KARACHI, Jan 16: The Export Promotion Bureau has constituted a nine-member committee to formulate recommendations for providing facilities to Pakistani construction firms intended to work in Afghanistan.

A senior EPB official told APP here on Wednesday that the committee, headed by an EPB consultant Tahir Jamil Naqvi will have four members from private construction companies, four executives from insurance companies and banks.

The committee will submit its recommendations to the Bureau by January 30, 2002, he added.

He said that this decision was taken at a meeting which was largely attended by representatives of construction industry and banks and insurance companies including National Insurance Corporation, Adamjee Insurance Co, EFU General Insurance Ltd, Chairman National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK). EPB chairman Tariq Ikram chaired the meeting.

Private sector representatives suggested the EPB to set up a special “Cell” at the Bureau for the provision of performance guarantee to construction companies intended to work abroad specially in Afghanistan.

The cell should have a database of construction companies particularly their track record whether they completed assignment successfully with full satisfaction of the client abroad.

It was suggested that the government must provide financial support to construction companies seeking construction opportunities in Afghanistan.—APP