Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) zone would be established in Northern Areas aiming to enhance exports to China, Minister for Northern Areas and Kashmir Affairs Tahir Iqbal said Tuesday.
Talking to the PTV he said PC-1 of the project has already been approved. Feasibility study was being reviewed at the moment. Exports of perishable items especially of cherry would be exported to China after ensuring their preservation.
A sum of Rs 992 million would be spent during the current financial year for overcoming the current 50 percent shortfall of electricity in Northern Areas. Target was to ensure up to 300mw power production in NA by 2020, he said.
Work was also continuing on a package of Rs 10.28 million to provide electricity to Gilgit. An 18mw power generating project would be completed in March 2007 near Gilgit.
Another 18mw power generation project would be initiated by mid of next year, he said. Feasibility study of another 24mw power generation project was ready. Likewise, 6 new generators have also been incorporated in the system for providing electricity facility to Gilgit, Skardu.
Six new grid stations are also being established for stabilising the distribution system there, he added. Efforts are underway for making progress in the field of agriculture. Tree plantation was continuing and around 90,000 saplings would be planted in Northern Areas.
Seeds of wheat and potato has been improved. It will increase production by 20 percent. A sum of 32.0 million is being invested for promotion of tourism in these areas. Three information centres would be established in Gilgit, Skardu and Sust for facilitating tourists, he added.
Website has already been developed and was in final stages. Anyone could get information about tourism. New avenues and sites would also be explored in a bid to attract more and more tourists. Karakoram Highway from China to Hassan Abdal will be doubled within a period of around three years. Nine new villages would be set up for victims of Diamer-Basha dam, he said.
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