Communiqué

Page 1

i

Communiqué The ERKF FATA Quarterly Newsletter Issue # 02 - January to March, 2014 Bridging the economic front in FATA

? > !

What makes an SME tick

Penetrating the economic gulf, Dubai investment road show

The hidden treasure of FATA

Inside 02

ReConnect Pakistan web portal

04

Scaling up for economic development

07

Readers’ feedback from 1st edition

08

Strategic planning and implementation

03

Enterprise incubation model

05

Economic needs assessment survey

07

The ERKF newsboard

09

ERKF success stories

03

5 P’s of investing in FATA

06

The mineral reserve of FATA

08

Progress update of ERKF FATA

10

FATA investment roadshow in Dubai


CommuniquĂŠ The ERKF FATA Quarterly Newsletter

FATA has come to be defined not by its tumultuous past,

but instead by its promising future The Economic Revitalization of KP and FATA Project is revolutionizing initiatives to turn the tribal areas of Pakistan into a thriving and lucrative investment landscape. As the geopolitical situation in South Asia develops, the region will be vying to identify new markets and opportunities - and that is where FATA fits one but important piece of the bigger picture. We are taking decisive actions to boost our national and international competitiveness in key sectors including mineral extraction, marble mining, commercial trade, enterprise development as well as exploration of oil, gas and coal. We are helping local businessmen and businesses through matching grants for the rehabilitation, development and advancement of small and medium enterprises. Also, we are launching contemporary approaches to mobilize diaspora and international prospects through establishing a business to business web portal, holding international investment roadshows and launching the public-private diaspora bond. These are just some of the fantastic new investments being made and I urge every potential capitalist and entrepreneur to seek how they can benefit from joining this new wave that promises so much. The second edition of CommuniquĂŠ will give you further ideas and insights into how you can choose to be part of that future for your businesses and for the future of this very special part of Pakistan.

Shaukatullah Khan

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

The philosophy of change and continuity drives our work The two terms, although varying significantly in meaning, make up the genesis of socio-economic transformation. While change is inevitable, continuity of plans and actions is equally imperative. We will continue to support the SME sector in the tribal areas of Pakistan through financial and technical measures as it holds the key to the economic revitalization of FATA. At the same time, 2014 marks the origination of new approaches to the underlying economic development questions persisting in FATA. The launch of an e-portal to mobilize diaspora investment from around the world and the completion of pre-feasibility of the first-ever FATA investment bond will prove to be the agents of change as we build up the momentum and energy in the project implementation. Efforts are also underway to expand the outreach of our services beyond the national borders, as we prepare for the second investment roadshow in Dubai during the second quarter of this year. The project has added hundreds of businessmen and entrepreneurs hailing from FATA to its mounting tally of beneficiaries. With that, I proudly present the second edition of our quarterly newsletter which celebrates the achievements and experiences of our partners, stakeholders and the people of FATA. I pay my gratitude to everyone who has valued the inaugural edition of CommuniquĂŠ spurring us to carry on. To conclude with, I take this opportunity to reaffirm that the continuity of the project initiatives will incrementally but unquestionably change the economic dimension of FATA towards more productivity and profit. Revel in reading!

Muhammad Imran Khan

Project Director ERKF (FATA Component)

ReConnect Pakistan Mobilizing diaspora investments through online B2B learning and partnership The first month of 2014 marked the beta launch* of the highly anticipated web portal of ERKF, which is custom designed to address the background knowledge and technical information needs of diaspora communities to foster their interest and intent in bringing investments and finances to FATA. The web enabled platform (www.reconnectpakistan.com) is built around an open membership architecture which will bring together local experts and diaspora investors to share ideas, develop concepts, build projects and channelize investments. The website is packed with dynamic as well as static content which will exhibit information to facilitate the development of diaspora linkages to the local economic sectors through active databases. The website will also showcase success stories, case studies, survey reports, policy guidelines and other such resources which could result in fostering diaspora investments back home. Project Management Unit of ERKF FATA is presently developing the content for the web portal in line with the information and *The knowledge needs of potential diaspora businessmen and investors. People from FATA have moved in substantial numbers to foreign countries, Middle East and West Europe in particular, in search of livelihood openings. The share of their earnings sent as remittances to support their families and relatives can provide substantial energy to the economic and industrial growth in FATA if capitalized. With ReConnect Pakistan, the diaspora from FATA might just have found the medium to overcome the void between probably and definitely.

02


FATA and Bal oc KP

hi

s ta

ust Fund n Tr

Issue # 02 - January to March, 2014

What makes an SME tick? An entrepreneurship incubation model can drive SMEs in FATA on track from the word go It is a truism that many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) fail within the first year, even though they were formed on good business ideas to begin with. Strong business concepts often overlook other factors that make a successful business in Pakistan, which may be as mundane as analyzing the political environment, getting enough workers or finding a suitable location. So the question remains; what makes an SME tick? To ensure that good business ideas do not go to waste and add up to the thick stockpile of “brain drain” from FATA, the Government has to lead the effort in supporting budding enterprises streamline business ideas and transform them into actions through building of knowledge, capacity and financing base. And that’s exactly what an “entrepreneurship incubation model” is supposed to do. Around the world, the practice of enterprise and business development by bringing together experienced professionals and budding entrepreneurs is commonplace. Since 2000, the idea is gaining recognition in Pakistan, particularly among business startups which can be clustered within the category of SMEs.

Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) is running Women’s Business Incubation Centers (WBIC) and has already enabled women entrepreneurs to launch full scale commercial ventures from private home based businesses. The Government of Pakistan, through the SME Business Support Fund (BSF), has already extended technical and process advisory services to enhance the revenue generation capacity of emerging SMEs. And just in time, the Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loan service has now been made available to the people of FATA.

sio SMEs Incubation Office FATA Secretariat

For starters, the FATA Secretariat can contribute by setting up SMEs Incubation Office (SIO) under the supervision of Secretary FATA Investment Facilitation Authority and staffed by senior and midlevel business management and economic development experts. One of the core functions of the SIO can be the identification of practical business ideas measured on the basis of sustainability and profitability. The online portal of ERKF, ReConnect Pakistan, can be very successfully used to network seasoned businessmen and budding entrepreneurs from FATA to share, develop and implement profitable business ideas. Institutional development, operational planning and financial management support should then come from FATA Secretariat’s SIO in the form of formulating policy framework and providing initial funding. Successful businessmen with demonstrated experience in FATA should be invited to seminars, trainings and meetings to share their insights on what goes behind setting up an SME in FATA. These businessmen can then (on voluntary and altruistic basis) take two or three budding entrepreneurs under their wings and coach them through the entire incubation process. The role of Tribal Chamber of Commerce and state-run financial institutions can play a key supporting role in transmuting the conception of SIO into pragmatism. Over a period of 4 to 5 years, the SIO can be made self-sustainable, by taking a certain share from the revenue of those SMEs which it has successfully incubated.

Since no such example or pattern exists so far in FATA, the idea may seem abstract. But it were the abstract ideas in the beginning that eventually changed the future of humanity (for better).

Passion

Potential

With a solid youth base accumulating 60% of FATA’s total population, the region is brimming with youthful passion and energy raring to have it a go.

According to geological assessments, the whole of FATA region has untapped reservoirs of large potential of exquisite gems and stones having exceptional demand in national and international markets.

Pride

A substantial percentage of the FATA population has moved to settled areas or foreign countries for their livelihoods. It’s time to take pride in contributing towards the development and stability of their homeland.

5

Profit

P’s

The economic model of higher risk higher profit aptly defines the cost of doing business in FATA. There are many business and trade avenues offering first-mover advantage to investors and entrepreneurs.

of investing in FATA

Perks

FATA industry is not subject to direct taxes or regulation. In this sense, FATA’s industrial sector offers the perks of an ultimate freemarket environment.

03


Communiqué The ERKF FATA Quarterly Newsletter

Communicating progress and achievements The ERKF FATA recognizes communication as an integral feature within the project implementation and feedback mechanisms. The project has already launched several initiatives under the project’s communication campaign designed to interact with the beneficiaries, donors, partners and stakeholders on the completed and planned activities. • To communicate more extensively with the population characterized by low literacy level, an audiovisual documentary has been produced and disseminated on the objectives and achievements of the project. • The quarterly newsletter “Communiqué” is the flagship project publication rolled out by the Project Management Unit, ERKF FATA to reach out to the funding and implementing partners, addressing their information needs. • Publicity and promotion towards the project undertaking are achieved through featured reports and news stories in leading English and Urdu newspapers.

• The ERKF FATA also boasts a vibrant presence on social media with its own Facebook profile page where the number of members is growing every day. • The project churns out newspaper advertisements which are timed to coincide with the targeting activity to ensure that adequate awareness and knowledge are generated. • Efforts are also under way to identify and recruit high profile citizen ambassadors from FATA to advocate the project goals vibrantly during key events, such as the investment roadshows.

Scaling up, a turnkey approach towards sustainable economic development Taking the approach to build and expand further on the foundations laid down by the ERKF FATA Today, development organizations and practitioners are confounded by issues such as achieving sustainability and ensuring investments. As a matter of fact, sustainability and funding are the two main drivers of projects such as the ERKF FATA, when the goal is the economic revitalization of the whole of the tribal belt rather than a particular Agency or Frontier Region. The key question lies not in what has been done so far but what will happen when the project phases out towards the end of 2014. Scaling up does not only imply exploring new sources of funding. More importantly, it relates to the sharing of successful ideas, valuable experiences and learnt lessons which can be accepted and adapted when moving beyond the constricted geographic boundaries to work with more implementing partners and prospective beneficiaries. The ERKF FATA can apply scaling up concepts and methodologies to achieve farfetched outcomes in the following ways: Develop case studies of the SME Development Component to record and share practical insights when designing future projects in related sectors. Capacity building initiatives are designed in a manner that the trainees are then capable of transferring the newly acquired knowledge and skill to their peers and colleagues. The ERKF FATA can select pilots for activities under all its three components. Criteria can be set for the selection of pilots, such as, identification of need for support, ease of movement for the staff and viability of project interventions.

The term “scaling up” is used to refer to increases in both the funding available and in the outreach of development measures. Horizontal scaling up refers to the gradual rollout of activities to cover an ever wider geographical area, whereas, vertical scaling up means achieving a broader impact by means of institutionalization.

04

Networking support to the Tribal Areas Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TACCI) can be first time extended to connect with government representatives, international development agencies, local businessmen and trade associations. Instead of making the international investment roadshows (to be held in Dubai and London) standalone events, efforts can be made to organize it on a recurring basis by the Government of Pakistan and implemented through the FATA Secretariat. The ERKF FATA, in collaboration with the FATA Investment Facilitation Authority, can devise a scaling up strategy which incorporates its key constituents, defining the vision, mapping the ownership, designing the approach, setting the standards and suggesting the incentive mechanism. Small is beautiful but big is essential is how we could sum up the challenges and necessities of scaling up for economic development orientation of FATA.


FATA and Bal oc KP

hi

s ta

ust Fund n Tr

Issue # 02 - January to March, 2014

Refueling the FATA economy through engaging diaspora The ERKF FATA is conducting a pre-feasibility study on the prospects of attracting investment from Pakistani diaspora by offering a private-public sector financial guarantee. The diaspora bond, as it is referred to, is envisaged to generate substantial investment in order to fill up the gap for financing appetite in FATA. The study has reviewed the existing remittance networks (payment systems, branch networks, mobile phone payments, money transfer agents, etc.) so that the private sector could be invited in cost sharing for setting up new outlets in the region. Focus group discussions in five countries (UK, USA, UAE, Malaysia and Canada) have been completed for key inputs towards the pre-feasibility. For a country like Pakistan, which has very few avenues to earn foreign exchange, remittances play a significant role in sustaining the economy, especially considering that 4 to 5 per cent of the national GDP can be attributed to remittances. A World Bank report from 2010 shows that remittances by Pakistani diaspora have played a significant role in Pakistan’s economic development.

Economic needs assessment of Mohmand and Bajaur Agencies in FATA Matching needs, mapping resources, fostering development The ERKF FATA plans to conduct a comprehensive economic needs assessment survey which will support the development of detailed economic profiles of Bajaur and Mohmand Agencies. The survey report will provide readily available statistical data, technical information and sectoral references for potential local and international investors to conduct business activities and setup production units in these areas.

01

Objective

To collect, collate and analyze the data in such a way that pertinent information can be used for evaluation and measurement of economic impact and benefits.

02

PART ONE

The first part of the survey will cover the overall dynamics of rural livelihoods, data on deterioration of public-private economic sectors due to crises and the steps required to resolve the current challenges in the given sectors for future development opportunities.

03

PART TWO

The second part of the survey will be based on in-depth study of key economic sectors selected from the first part of the study.

Pakistan Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) 2015-2019 Addressing development priorities through strategic planning The World Bank has conducted preliminary round of consultation meetings with the FATA Secretariat and regional stakeholders in September (26th), November (7th/8th) and December (19th) last year. The objective was to gather inputs and exchange views on the development challenges and priorities for the region that the World Bank could support under its new five-year country specific development strategy. These recommendations will be considered for inclusion within the Pakistan Country Strategic Partnership Framework. Second round of consultations would take place in February 2014. The CPS will be finalized and presented to the World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors in June 2014. CPS implementation will start from 1st July, 2014.

• Mineral and marble are untapped resources in FATA which can play a tremendous role in changing the lives of the people in FATA through income generation, poverty reduction, youth engagement and investment mobilization.

Based on the feedback received from the government and other stakeholders, key priorities for FATA in the economic development sector are emerging as:

• Absence of credit facilitation institutions and services for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) was also highlighted as a major constraint on the business development in FATA.

• Currently, there is no financial institution in FATA even though there is immense trade potential in this area. Thus, a regional investment and financial institution can encourage lending and raise the living standards, so people are not vulnerable to militancy. • In order to provide a conducive investment climate, government is focusing on three key factors including, security for the private sector, infrastructure and energy, and access to resources.

05


CommuniquĂŠ The ERKF FATA Quarterly Newsletter

The mineral reserve of FATA A discovered but unexplored treasure Geological surveys conducted across 85% of the tribal belt of Pakistan have revealed immense avenues for mineral exploration. The available geological information provides ample evidence that FATA has fairly good mineral potential as existing in similar geological environments elsewhere in the world. It is important to point out that despite technological and financial constraints of the private sector and the prevailing geopolitical conditions in the region, there is tremendous growth in mineral production from FATA. The average annual growth rate of mineral production during the last five years has been 40%. To further enhance the mineral development potential, the FATA Secretariat has initiated a number of mineral exploration, infrastructure development and private sector facilitation projects which are providing sound basis for executing mineral sector activities on modern and profitable lines. The FATA Development Authority (FDA) and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA) have signed an agreement under which the latter will conduct feasibility study on establishment of a briquetting plant based on FATA coal deposits. The plant will work to develop value added mineral resources to bring them to a level of attracting domestic and foreign investment for exploration, production, consumption and exportation. The recently established Mohmand Marble City is an ideal place for venture capitalists to install processing plants and reduce transportation costs on shipping raw material to Karachi and other areas of Pakistan. Moreover, geological exploration under two different projects resulted in identification of more than 28 manganese products and two emerald bearing areas in Mohmand and Bajaur Agencies. To identify additional coal clusters in the country, investigations in Shirani area inside the Frontier Region of Dera Ismail Khan are currently underway. For further enhancement of copper reserves, subsurface studies in the Shinkai area of North Waziristan Agency are being undertaken. The mineral potential of FATA is certainly not a bottomless pit. As a matter of fact, it offers tremendous opportunities for domestic and international investors who thrive on the capitalization of new possibilities of economic headway. “To put the entire discourse in the words of Paulo Coelho, everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him�.

Marble

Read to know

This particular sector has significant potential for growth, as high quality reserves of white marble in Mohmand Agency, gray marble in Bajaur Agency and other attractive colors in Khyber, Orakzai, Kurram and Waziristan Agencies have been identified. In FATA, the marble quarrying and mining jobs have provided livelihoods for thousands of families.

Gemstone Although geological assessments have identified the existence of multiple varieties of gemstones across the breadth of FATA, this area has not realized its true potential as yet. Studies have indicated availability of emerald, tourmaline, garnet and quartz in abundance but extraction has so far been the missing link.

Copper An estimated reserve of 35 million tons of copper has been discovered in the North Waziristan Agency alone. Further investment in the exploration of this exquisite mineral will not only bring employment to the tribesmen but will also boost the local economy and industry substantially.

Coal FATA has abundance of rich quality coal deposits identified at several locations. Mining is done but on a very limited scale, thus, highlighting the need and potential for expansion. Huge deposits of coal have been identified in Orakzai, Kurram and North Waziristan Agencies. Dara Adam Khel (Frontier Region Kohat) also has a lot of promise in terms of coal extraction and production.

Soapstone A metamorphic rock rich in magnesium and iron, FATA has large deposits of soapstone that can be crucial inputs for local industries as well as a high demand export commodity. Currently, soapstone at Ghandhao (Mohmand Agency) is mined and exported to Europe where it has shown increasing demand over the years.

All figures, facts and stats have been taken from the information resources of FATA Development Authority, www.fatada.gov.pk.

06


FATA and Bal oc KP

hi

s ta

ust Fund n Tr

Issue # 02 - January to March, 2014 ERKF has done a tremendous job with their newsletter and has so much to offer for its readers, from informing people about business opportunities to interesting facts of doing business in FATA. Kamran Hidayat Works as a communication professional in the development sector

!

r Hea r ou t a wh aders re ve to ha say

There was so much to know and learn about the business and economic potential of FATA which was so aptly highlighted in the newsletter. Asim Mir Studies social sciences at the University of Peshawar By the time I read the first couple of pages, I was like wow! That’s some fantastic work and impatiently looking forward to the next issue. Sara Mushtaq Owns a marketing firm which works for development and public sector organizations I could not resist to read through because of the stimulating content and graphics. Even the name of the newsletter is nothing less than impressive. It was also quite enlightening to know about the development that is taking place in FATA. Waleed Abbas Studies political science at the University of Peshawar

I rate the quality of your publication amongst the top few that I had the chance of reading during my professional career which spans over 15 years. Zaffar Khattak Runs a development focused consulting firm in Peshawar

ERKF newsboard

SMEs matching grants award ceremony at FATA Secretariat: ERKF FATA awarded matching grants worth Rs. 30.5 million to the businessmen of North Waziristan Agency, Frontier Region Tank and Kurram Agency. A ceremony was held at the FATA Secretariat on 10th January, 2014 where cheques were presented by Secretary Administration, Infrastructure and Coordination Pir Ameer-ud-Din and Secretary FATA Investment Facilitation Authority Arshad Majeed. Project Director ERKF FATA Muhammad Imran Khan also participated in the ceremony.

identify shop to: rk o w FATA menting aring dge sh ple omen in Knowleal businessw gh its local im to create u e ti v n ro ti th te ia nd o it A p an in rities a KF FAT The ER has launchede project prio FATA with partner ess about th womenfolk of e potential awaren s among the fy and sensitizhing grant activitie ose to identi r future matc r Agencies the purps women fo am and Bajau workshops busines. Piloted in Kurrof a series of d. awards , the first two y implemente of FATA en successfull have be

‘Showc exhibitioase FATA’ wil for th n to be held l be a two-day rehabilite SMEs inin Islamabad particula the ER ated and u r will preKF FATA. T pgraded by handicra sent FATA’she exhibition and inte fts and artis traditional potentia rnational comans to local The e l business m munities for project’vent will als atchmaking. needs s outreach ano serve the related by providin d awareness with FA information g economic TA. associa ted

d g an nnin raining a l p egic ion t ed an Strat ementat ganiz impl shop: FATA or rkshop o tation” in, work ERKF ining wo mplemen January l The day tra ing and I nd 23rd Genera three gic Plannen 21st a irector (Director n (D e te “Stra ban betw Shah ad Khan Evaluatio ct r jj je ir u a o h h r d S a B an r n (P . Z A), 2014 cts FAT nitoring ran Khaher senio A Projeeral Mommad Im) and ot ariat, FATTA Gen ), Muha F FATA Secret RKF FA FATA tor ERK the FATAy and E Direc rs from Authorit office lopment ctively. Deve ipated a partic

07


Communiqué The ERKF FATA Quarterly Newsletter

Progress update of Component 1 (sector wise presentation) Construction

2

Physical

2,200,000

Crushing and Block Making

Education

4

Electronics

14

Physical

1

Physical

4,357,500

1

Physical

16,116,950

Hospitals and Labs

Handicrafts

3

Physical

600,000

Physical

548,000

2,264,100

Financial (PKR)

Financial (PKR)

Financial (PKR)

Financial (PKR)

Financial (PKR)

Financial (PKR)

IT and Computer Labs

Light Engineering

Manufacturing Units

Marble, Minning and Mineral

Fuel

Repair Workshop

4

2

Physical

6

53

Physical

14

Physical

1

Physical

Physical

Physical

Financial (PKR)

1,390,000

Financial (PKR)

3,355,000

Financial (PKR)

7,500,000

78,459,149 Financial (PKR)

Financial (PKR)

Financial (PKR)

Textile AND Silk Processing

Trading and Warehouse

Transport

Services

Wood AND Furniture Products

Total

128

Physical

5

Physical

8

249

Physical

Physical

Physical

600,000

1,800,000

Physical

2

1

Financial (PKR)

19,507,100

600,000

Financial (PKR)

10,000,000

1,168,571

273,578,870

6,686,200

Financial (PKR)

Financial (PKR)

Financial (PKR)

Financial (PKR)

Strategic planning and implementation training workshop Learning the steps, tools and techniques to “think and act strategically”

The participants were also given the opportunity to evaluate the content, delivery, management and outcome of the workshop (responses illustrated below).

10%

Meaningfulness

Duration

Zahir Shah (Director General Projects FATA), Sajjad Khan (Director General Monitoring and Evaluation FATA), Muhammad Imran Khan (Project Director ERKF FATA) and other senior officers from the FATA Secretariat, FATA Development Authority and ERKF FATA participated

08

Schedule

Environment

Quality Interactivity

Training Performance Indicators Excellent

Very Good

Good

Average

10%

10%

20%

70% 30%

20%

10%

• Mapping partners to be involved in the strategic planning process • Developing communication action plans to promote the strategic planning process

80%

90%

80%

50%

• Determining applicable tools to assimilate strategic planning in implementation process

40%

• Identifying steps in the strategic planning process

70%

• Understanding the principles and approaches towards strategic management

actively. The training workshop mixed theory with practical applications, introducing a range of interactive training methods. Session plans were developed around experience sharing and group work opportunities that linked, participatory discussions, listening exercises, group assignments and audiovisual presentations.

10%

Shifts in social, political, economic and technological dynamics have transpired new challenges for public sector organizations in service management and delivery. Therefore, innovation in planning and implementation, which incorporates modern strategic management tools, is necessary for the public sector to achieve improved performance and service quality. Within that context, the ERKF FATA organized a three day training workshop on “Strategic Planning and Implementation”. The training objectives focused on:

Poor


FATA and Bal oc KP

hi

s ta

ust Fund n Tr

Issue # 02 - January to March, 2014

Writing the success stories, on their own The true accounts of ERKF FATA beneficiates who are making it happen, all over again!

Story from Khyber Under the SME Development Component of ERKF FATA, the project is contributing towards fostering the frequency and reach of the education sector in FATA. At a time when the government run schools are marred by inadequate resources and damaged infrastructure, several private schools, especially in Khyber Agency FATA, are supporting the delivery of this imperative social service.

Nawab Shah, the principal of Islamia Model School located in Jamrud Tehsil of Khyber Agency, now has a lot to do when he comes to the office every morning. With a matching grant assistance amounting to PKR 0.5 million, the school has regained full academic activities from a previous state of dormancy. “The essential financial support has enabled us to procure computer systems, laboratory equipment, classrooms furniture and education material. During this academic year, we are back in business with an education and learning focus like never before”. Abdul Ghani, a student of Islamia Model School has a message to spread. “To ensure every child, irrespective of their gender orientation, has the opportunity to get educated, parents and teachers must play their role. This is every child’s basic human right and also the key to a progressive and peaceful Pakistan”.

Under the SME Development Component of ERKF FATA, 249 SMEs have so far received matching grants for rehabilitation and upgradation purposes, resulting in direct employment generation of more than 1000 individuals with countless indirect benefits.

Story from Bajaur “As the people of our area moved to other localities for shelter, the main market remained out of business for the past three years. When I returned following the improvement in the overall security situation, the ERKF FATA sanctioned a matching grant of PKR 1 million which was not less than a miracle for my business during those testing times. It makes me ecstatic to tell you that the clothing designs and colours this summer will be full of exuberance”.

In FATA, trading business is also fundamental to the economic empowerment of the region due to its prevalence and viability. As the law and order situation deteriorated in Bajaur Agency, it also took its toll on the local businessmen especially the ones associated with clothing merchandize. Lal Muhammad was once an affluent cloth merchant who had to give it all away amidst the mounting insecurity.

According to Bahader Khan, the Head of Marble Association of Bajaur Agency, business activities in Bajaur Agency are quite thriving these days. Of all the local businesses, marble mining and processing still remains the mainstay of the economy of FATA. “Before the escalation of armed conflict, the growth of marble sector was exemplary which had offered direct and indirect employment opportunities to more than 4000 individuals. Though challenges remain ahead of us as we try to assemble the sector back together, the support extended to us by the ERKF FATA gives us the hope, energy and determination to carry on”.

09


Communiqué The ERKF FATA Quarterly Newsletter

WHERE WILL YOU BE WHEN PAKISTAN’S

BIGGEST INVESTMENT ROADSHOW

COMES TO DUBA ? What was once a land of Bedouin tribes who made a living by fish hunting and pearl searching a few decades ago has grown on to be celebrated as the Manhattan of Asia. Yes, it was made possible by visionary people who shook the paradigms of human thought and moved first to explore the investment potential which Dubai held amidst the sand dunes and sea shores. This year, the FATA investment roadshow challenges the same visionaries, movers and shakers to explore business and trade investment possibilities across the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. If a modest land of yesteryear can become a global powerhouse today, imagine what a regional stretch of 27,220 square kilometers abounded with natural and human resource has on the offer.

FATA and Bal oc KP

We know we have already got you thinking. For answers, join us!

FATA Investment Roadshow It’s quite happening now!

Feedback Help us further improve on the content and layout with your feedback. Complete the feedback form and submit through post or email. The first 5 responses will be included in the next edition. 1. Was the design of the newsletter eye-catching?

☐ Yes ☐ No

2. Was the content of the newsletter captivating?

☐ Yes ☐ No

3. What was the single best thing about this newsletter edition? 4. What would you like to see included in the future edition? Send us your response by email on erkf.fata@gmail.com or post it on; Office No. 5, 2nd Floor, Zai Apartments,Opposite FATA Secretariat, Peshawar.

hi

s ta

ust Fund n Tr

Contributions Content development and visual design: Project Management Unit, ERKF FATA Photography credit: Digital archives of ERKF FATA and MDTF Execution ideas: Many more wonderful people Disclaimer: Image used on cover page is copyright to its respectful owner at (thebuilderdepot.wordpress.com) and the Project Management Unit, ERKF FATA acknowledges the credit.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.