DERA GHAZI KHAN, June 8 The remote district of southern Punjab, Dera Ghazi Khan, which shares borders with troubled areas of Balochistan and the NWFP, is on the development agenda of USAID (United States Agency for International Development).

A six-member delegation of American diplomats and USAID officials visited the area and met local politicians and traders to take the stock of area needs and to see the development work already done.

The delegation comprising Katie McDonald, Azza El Abd, Meassik Mark, Saeed Siddiqui, Mathew Lowe, Zahir Shah and Sajjad Mughal arrived here on June 6 and spent three days in holding meetings with local politicians and businessmen.

The delegation during its visit to the local chamber of commerce and industry was told that future trade route starting from Gawadar port to China passed through this district.

On the agriculture sector, the delegation was told that Dera Ghazi Khan had agro-based economy as it housed eight textile mills, 75 cotton ginning factories, 16 flour mills and 38 rice mills.

Businessman Shiekh Merajuddin Quraishi told the delegation about the establishment of cottage industry in the district as the women of rural area were engaged in embroidery and carpet weaving.

On the issue of minerals, the delegation was told that the area was rich in minerals of all kinds.

Chamber representatives informed the visitors about the missing links between Dera Ghazi Khan and Kohat to facilitate smooth flow of goods from Karachi to Peshawar.

On the agriculture sector, the delegation was suggested that thousands of acres of land was lying barren in the district and there was a scope for corporate farming.

Keeping in view the availability of raw material, the delegation was told that a cement factory might be established in Sakhi Sarwar.

On education, the delegation was told that people lacked resources for education while there was a mushroom growth of religious seminaries.

Delegation member Azza el Abd said they would initiate projects of public-private partnership for the uplift of the area.