PAL-C Welcomes Administration Initiative Promoting Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in Pakistan

ROZ Concept a “Revolutionary Idea”

Associated Press of Pakistan   |   September 14, 2007

KARACHI  - The United States has initiated a long term program to bring prosperity in economically depressed areas with the objective of increasing the strength of Pakistan from an economic point of view.

This was stated by the new Consul General of the United States, Kay L. Anske during her luncheon meeting with the president and members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Majyd Aziz.

She said that legislation was being prepared in the Congress and it is hoped that the approval would be forthcoming within a couple of months.

She pointed out that the Reconstruction Opportunities Zones (ROZs) concept is a revolutionary idea and the output produced in these designated industrial areas will be eligible for duty free access to US. Ms Anske also disclosed that Mary Beth Goodman has arrived in Islamabad as the Deputy Economic Consul and would be responsible for ROZs project at the Embassy.

She noted that United States was open for the business whether you are a businessman, or a student, or a tourist, and the opportunities for bilateral trade between Pakistan and US are enormous and beneficial for both the countries. Ms Anske, who made KCCI her first place of visit, added that it is incumbent upon the US government to inform its citizens about the prevailing environment in any foreign country. Thus the travel advisories are periodically issued, she added.

She categorically denied that the Travel Advisories are politically motivated. She said these Advisories have also been issued even for Mexico,which is a neighbor of America and its NAFTA partner. She emphasized that a Travel Advisory is not a political statement but used for only security purposes.
Kay L. Anske complimented KCCI for taking a high powered delegation to the US and said that this trip has brought tangible gains and has also enhanced the prestige of the Chamber.

The US Consul General further disclosed that US laws require that anyone applying for visas must appear in person at the Embassy and it is only for a few discreet reasons that personal appearance is waived.

She reiterated that the issuance of visas depends on the prevailing US laws, and it is for this reason that the issuance of visas has been centralized in Islamabad.

Regarding the proposal of pre-screening of visa documents in Karachi in order to ensure that these documents conform to the prescribed criteria, the American diplomat explained that this decision to allow pre-screening in Karachi can only be taken by the Embassy in Islamabad.

She said that in her opinion, pre-screening was not possible at the Karachi Consulate but she would inform the Embassy about the Chamber’s proposal.

Earlier, Majyd Aziz in his welcome address dwelt in detail about various aspects of the bilateral economic relations between the United States and Pakistan and presented KCCI’s viewpoint regarding Bilateral Investment Treaty, Intellectual Property Rights, Travel Advisories, ROZs, and the follow-up to the visit of the KCCI Delegation to USA.

The Pakistani American Leadership Center (PAL-C) is the only professional Pakistani-American advocacy organization that has an office located on Capitol Hill. It launched the Congressional Pakistan Caucus in May 2004 and works to raise awareness about Pakistani-American interests in Washington policy circles. Our activities include facilitating the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, liaisoning Pakistani officials and the community with Members of Congress, and mobilizing all Pakistani-Americans at the grassroots level. If you wish to learn more about PAL-C, please visit our website www.pal-c.org or email us at info@pal-c.org.

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