Gilgit-Baltistan gateway of CPEC: FPCCI chief
Islamabad: Chairman Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Qurban Ali has said that Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) was the gateway of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Speaking to journalists here, Ali maintained that special economic package should be given to Gilgit-Baltistan for its impedance in CPEC.
“Gilgit-Baltistan is the gateway CPEC. Economic emergency should be implemented there and special package should be announced for Gilgit-Baltistan,” he demanded.
The Chairman FPCCI stressed that CPEC and Gilgit-Baltistan were inseparable without which the concept of completion of the great project of CPEC would be incomplete.
He pointed out that work on Gilgit-Baltistan Special Economic Zone (SEZs) which was included in the 9 Special Economic Zones of CPEC was still incomplete.
He stressed that work on Gilgit-Baltistan, Special Economic Zone be started soon so that the industrial sector could flourish there.
Qurban Ali said that Gilgit-Baltistan, was connected to the world’s economic engine China and was close to energy rich Central Asia, Siachen, Kargil and Ladakh.
He said that there were vast opportunities in Gilgit-Baltistan in the fields of tourism and hydel energy and agriculture and livestock and horticulture.
The Chairman FPCCI remarked that the GB region was rich in precious stones, minerals and various minerals.
He was of the view that ‘Gem Testing Labs’ need to be established in GB for gems identification to promote the local industry at international potential market for enhancing the competitiveness in the local market.
The senior business leader said that FPCCI would on-board the government for the initiative of new gems testing laboratories in major gems exploration region of Pakistan to promote the gemstone trade for enhancing the local exports.
Qurban Ali mentioned that mainly these precious stones are explored from almost inaccessible territories of the hilly regions in the south and north as the most extensive ruby deposits in Pakistan are located in the Hunza valley of the Gilgit- Baltistan.
He informed that after Burma, Hunza is the only other region in the world that has produced “Blood Red ruby”.
The Chairman FPCCI underlined that some of the finest ‘Emeralds’ in the World were being mined in the picturesque valley of Swat and Aquamarine was also explored from the Shigar valley of Baltistan and Chitral.
He stated that Pakistan was a country of young people and they need employment opportunities and through the gems and stones industry “we can create a huge opportunity of employment for local youth of GB region including Khyber Paktunkwa and Balochistan.”
Qurbal Ali underscored that Pakistan had an export potential of worth US $ 32 billion annually in latent gemstones industry to earn revenue for strengthening the country’s economy.
