Staff Reporter
Islamabad
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affair and Gilgit Baltistan Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has said that since PTI government came into power, it has given due importance to the sector of tourism. He said that Prime Minister has a special vision regarding development of tourism sector. The sector will attract investment of millions of dollars in AJK and GB, he hoped.
In a statement here on Sunday, Ali Amin Gandapur said that the government had adopted transparent policies in this regard and tourist friendly environment like easing of visa regime had been introduced, as result the confidence of foreign investors and tourists has increased many folds.
He mentioned that substantial number of foreign investment companies, groups and institutions were expressing their deep interest for investment in GB. He shared that delegations of foreign companies had recently visited GB and had expressed their interest for investment in tourism sector of GB. He also mentioned that a foreign company was likely to invest up to 100 Million dollars in GB in near future.
The Minister said that government was adopting smooth and transparent policies for foreign investors which would further boost the confidence of foreign investors. The tax free regime in GB is also a great source of attraction for foreign investors, many investment groups are interested to benefit from this tax free regime, he added. Ali Amin Gandapur said that his government was also making huge efforts for development of infrastructure in the area.
He said that access roads and connecting roads were being improved and made all weathered. Government is considering to develop Bubu Sir Top tunnel to improve access to the area, he said. Moreover, the Gilgit Skardu road is under construction, and construction of Gilgit Chitral road will be a big milestone and will further improve the prospects of tourism in the area. The Minister told the delegation that government was also planning to upgrade Skardu Airport for handling international flights.
He said that tourism was one of those sectors which could be developed at a better pace and would substantially contribute to national economy. He also shared the details of his visits to the UK and US. He said that he had number of interactions with Kashmiri diaspora living there. The Minister said that he encouraged the Kashmiri community to come forward and play their due role in development of AJK.
He said that AJK had great potential in tourism which could be easily tapped by the Kashmiri Diaspora by making handsome investments in AJK. He said that he had also ensured the Kashmiri community that they should invest in AJK with confidence and they would be properly facilitated in this regard. The Ministry KA & GB has recently requested PM office for creating a separate web portal linked with Pakistan Citizen for addressing the complaints and concerns of Kashmiri community living abroad, he told.
