|
|
|
|
|
The first ever International Conference on Investment Opportunities in
Balochistan being organized under the auspices of Ministry of Privatisation
and Board of Investment, in collaboration with the Provincial Government of
Balochistan, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali
at Quetta tomorrow on May 8, 2004 (Saturday).
More than 250 local and foreign delegates and the top business representatives
from China, Singapore, Malaysia, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Oman,
United Kingdom, United States, Australia and Germany will participate in the
various working sessions of the Conference.
The Federal Minister for Privatisation & Investment Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh
will deliver his keynote address in the inaugural session while Chief Minister
of Balochistan Province Jam Mohammad Yousuf will give welcome address. Mr.
Juergen Koenig, MD, Merck Market (Pvt) Ltd Pakistan a German company will
share the success story of his company. Mr. Waseem Haqqie, Chairman BOI will
deliver vote of thanks.
The conference aims to drive home, the investors who should see for
themselves that Balochistan is a safe haven for investors. More than ten(10)
companies in oil and gas are already working in the province of Balochistan.
The Quetta Conference will offer investment opportunities to potential
investors both domestic and foreign in Industrial Zones of Balochistan, SME
Sector – Opportunities and Incentives, Logistics and Mass Transit: Seaport,
Shipping, Railway, Coastal and Land Development, Fuel and Energy, Mines and
Mineral, Agro-based Products, Livestock, Fish Farming The coastline of
Balochistan extends over 750 kms from Hub near Karachi, to the Gawadar Bay on
Pakistan-Iran border. The whole area is rich with a variety of marine life and
has long sunny beaches. Coastal towns of Pasni, Jiwani and Gawadar are linked
by air with Karachi. Gawadar would be third sea port in Pakistan.
It will provide to help the landlocked Central Asian Economies, including
those of Russia and China.
Quetta, the capital of Balochistan, is linked by air, rail and road with all
the major cities of Pakistan, Nestling in the picturesque valley between the
Dera Murad Jamali and Chiltan mountains, it is located on the cross-roads,
leading towards Iran, Quetta, takes pride in producing Onyx, and
Onyx-products, and a variety of juicy and dry Fruits.
More than 50 metallic and non- Metallic minerals have been discovered in
Balochistan. Metallic ones are Chromite, Copper, Iron Ore, Lead and Zinc,
while the non-metallic include Baryte, Marble/Onyx, Gypsum, Limestone, Coal,
Dolomite, Calcite, Silica Sand, Building and Engineering Stones Balochistan
produces almost all the Onyx of the country. Coal is about 60 percent of the
country’s total production. Known reserves of Marble in the Province are
around 3 million tons while production of marble in 1999-2000 was 297,264
tons. While Onyx and Granite productions were 34,278 tons and 3,435 tons
respectively in the same year. The Chromite extracted in 2001-2002 was 31,195
tons. There are in all 400 prospecting licenses and 250 mining leases granted
so far to various concessionaries. The total area under mining is about 600
square miles.
Of the total estimated production of nearly 10 million cubic meters of natural
gas in the country, Balochistan produces over 7 million cubic meters. The Sui
and Pirkoh natural gas fields in Marri-Bugti area alone account for more than
18 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCP) of proven reserves. The natural gas reservoir Sui
was the largest in Asia when discovered in 1952. According to the Geological
Survey of Pakistan (GSP) sources, reserves of 19 trillion cubic feet of gas
and six trillion barrels of oil are estimated during the offshore exploration
in Balochistan.
Balochistan has now several maj0r industrial units in the textile, ghee,
pharmaceuticals, gas, and woolen fabrics. The Federal Government has announced
special incentives for setting up industries in Balochistan. The Provincial
Government has established several industrial estates. Industrial investment
has increased very significantly over the past couple of decades.
The Gaddani Ship Breaking Industry is the third largest in the world, employs
about 10,000 workers and meets one-third of the scrap requirements of the
re-rolling mills in the country.
Water and Power
GOP has allocated Rs. 56 billion for the development of water and power
projects in Balochistan. During the current fiscal year Rs. 53 billion would
be utilized for the projects in water sector, wherein Rs. 3 billion would be
spent on improvements in power sector. The total cost of the three projects –
Kachhi Canal, Mirani and Sabakzai Dams – is estimated at Rs. 37 billion which
will be completed by the year 2007, however, Sabakzai Dam would start
functioning by 2005.
Transport
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has decided to offer $ 186.7 million to
Pakistan to help undertake an extensive “Balochistan Road Development Sector
Project”. The Balochistan road project will improve connectivity and allow
better access in the province, and build the capacity and systems for suitable
road sector development especially in road maintenance. The project will also
improve the efficiency of the national highway, including one major border
crossing that passes through Balochistan, and forms part of the priority road
transport corridor linking Pakistan, Afghanistan and Central Asia together.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $ 267.3 million, out of which
the ADB will provide $ 186.7 million.
Chaman Dry Port for Trade with Afghanistan
A dry port for Chaman is being developed while the Pakistan Railways has spent
Rs. 52 million for extending the rail tracks.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the major economic activity in the province and contributes
over 50 per cent of the provincial domestic product (PDP) of which the Major
Crops contributes over 26, Minor Crops 8, Livestock 15, Forestry 0.3 and
Fishery 1.5 per cent. Aout 67 per cent of the total labor force is engaged in
Agriculture.
Although the total cropped area of Balochistan is 3.8 per cent of the total
cropped are of the country (22.76) mha) and yet the province is the largest
contributor to the national production of Apples (82 per cent), Peaches (69
per cent ), Grapes (97.6 percent) Pomegranates (82 per cent), Dates (64 per
cent), Almonds (93.5 percent ) and Plums (49 percent) The per acre monetary
benefits of the grower are highest in the world, which are roughly as follows:
Apple – Rs. 60,000; Cherry – Rs, 50,000 and Almonds- Rs. 60,000. Even without
fertilizers the per hectare yield of what in the rain fed area is highest in
the country. Balochistan contributes about 45 percent of the total fruit
production of Pakistan. The warmer parts like Makran, Kharan, Noshki and
Khuzdar are know for Dates which cover about 220,000 acres, Balochistan
produced 404, 000 tons of Date in 1998. Balochistan also produces cash crops
like Potato, Onion, Melon and Cumin in good qualities,
Livestock
Balochistan is a pastoral area, 80 percent of its population in engaged in
sheep breeding and raising other livestock. There are three sheep and goat
heads per person in the province as against 0.7 per person on all-Pakistan
basis. Meanwhile, poultry population has increased over three times during the
last 10 years, as two major poultry complexes are working in the private
sector. In the public sector, Balochistan Livestock Development Project and
Karakul Sheep Breeding Project are implemented with the assistance of Asian
Development Bank and European Economic Community.
Fisheries
Fish culture and fishing are a part of Balochistan’s economy. In 1987,
Balochistan coast fisheries development project was launched to assist
fishermen with modern tools and other facilities. Eight years ago, Pasni
Fisheries Development project was undertaken with the assistance of Asian
Development Bank. For this, Pasni Fisheries Harbour Authority has been set up,
Total catch in Balochistan in 2001-2002 was 118,033 metric tons. Fish
hatcheries at the Coastal area are viable because of the favourable
conditions.
Cottage Industry
Cottage industry is also a flourishing industry in Balochistan with over 500
units employing more than 4,000 workers, and producing a variety of
handicrafts depicting Balochistan’s culture. Handicrafts of beautiful and
intricate craftsmanship are produced here the most typical of the region being
the exquisite mirror work, embroidery, fine quality precious stones and marble
works.