(26 Jan, 2018)
President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President AKIA, Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday said Gilgit Baltistan is enriched with natural scenes including lush green planes and fairy-meadows, having attraction for tourists from across the globe.
Gilgit serves as a major junction along the Silk Road for China, Skardu, Chitral, and Islamabad. The economy of the region is primarily based on the historic Silk Road. The China Trade Organization forum led the people of the area to learn modern trade techniques from its Chinese neighbour Xinjiang. Chamber of commerce and the Sust dry port (in Gojal Hunza) are playing vital role in economic development of Gilgit.
The veteran business leader while talking to the business community said that China–Pakistan Economic Corridor call for construction of the 682 kilometre long Khunjerab Railway, which will serve Gilgit through Railway System. A special economic zone Gilgit-Baltistan will be constructed over 250 acres’ land in minerals, livestock, handicrafts and wood-related trades have been marked as potential industries.
Keeping paramount importance of Gilgit-Baltistan (G.B) in making the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) the government had decided to declare the area as a free trade zone, due to which the city’s economy will be developed and will help in developing National Economy. There are various opportunities for investors in the city which will flourish after the launch of CPEC, he said.
The former minister demanded that Government should take immediate and concrete measures to safeguard the natural beauty of the region and should provide easy and modern access to the tourist attraction points of Attractive Lakes, Beautiful Valleys and distant fairy meadows, so that tourism industry can further flourish in the area.
Peace has been restored due to various sacrifices given by Pakistan’s Armed Forces and Civilians, which has improved tourism in the country. At this moment, allowing on arrival visa to 24 countries including US, UK and China is very timely and important and will not only help in tourism growth in Pakistan but will also open new avenues for foreign investment
He said that Gilgit Baltistan Chamber of Commerce is playing important role in resolving problems pertaining to trade and industry locally. Government should help in providing access to locally produced grapes, pomegranate, apricot, etc., to local and international markets and easy loans.
