960420

ECO destined to grow into

new grouping of nations

QUETTA: The Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) is destined to grow into a new grouping of nations, symbolising economic hopes and aspirations of nearly 350 million peoples, with men, money and material resources in an area of more than seven million Sq Kms of 10 sovereign states reports PPI, quoting ECO quarters in Quetta on Saturday.

Originally Regional Cooperation Development (RCD) was established by Iran, Turkey and Pakistan in 1964. It aimed at promoting economic and cultural relations among the member Muslim countries after the Islamic revolution in Iran, this spirit of cooperation between three countries was revived under a new name, ECO established in 1985.

ECO fellow founders have not focused on the imperatives of a united strategy to strengthen regional integration. ECO base has been widened with the association of seven more Muslim sovereign states of the region.

Now ECO community comprises Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kirghistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhistan, ECO is an instrucment of regional integration. Although it is new, yet the historical, cultural and social bonds binding the peoples of these 10 sovereign states are very old and deep rooted. ECO community belong to four geographical zones of the world. Turkey and Iran are normally regarded as West Asian, Pakistan has links with South Asia while Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazaghistan, Kirkhistan and Turkmenistan belong to central Asia. ECO another member country Azerbaijan lies in Trans-Caucasia.

These four geographical zones housing ECO region are rich in resources. Economic exploitation and correct utilisation of these resource could enable ECO to emerge as a formidable economic bloc in the fullness of time ECO sources suggest that the ECO countries should adopt new trade regimes to expand commercial ties. As a matter of policy, interdependence in the economic field has to be promoted by the ECO countries, promising prosperity, security and stability proper attention should be paid to the improvement and development of infrastructure in the form of road and rail networks. Communication networks are absolutely essential for the promotion of ecoonomic and social controls. Public and private sectors should be complimentary and supplementary to each other in the member countries.

Meanwhile diplomatic sources said Iran has accepted the challenges of a new enterprise in statecraft, in which the principles and values of the faith are harmonised with the imperatives of radical modernity. Under the new leadership, Iran is engaged in consolidating the fruits of the revolution, Iran is well set on road to progress for the people, getting a between deal in every sphere of socio-economic activity.

Iran has embarked on a massive development programme, providing extension of its railroad networks to the ECO countries with special emphasis on Central Asian states, Afghanistan and Pakistan. It would cost about $ 300 million and take less than five years to complete railroad links between Iran and Turkey already exist. Similarly Pakistan has railroad links with Iran, Pak-Iran railroad link through Balochistan would be modernised to meet challenges of the 21st century.

As a matter of fact, an Iranian compnay is already engaged in streamlining Sorab-Kalar section of ECO highway in central Balochistan Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has also been signed between Pakistan and Iran for the construction of Rato Dero (Sindh)-Gwadur expressway through Central and Southern Balochistan with the completion of this expressway, Gwadur, a gateway to ECO for international import-export trade through soothing Arabian Sea, would be linked with national highway on one side, while on the other with Karachi through coastal highway.

Iranian diplomatic source said Iran had latest technology for road building, construction of deep sea ports, dams, development of oil and gas resources, water and power, petroleum products, oil refineries, factories and mills, which Pakistan could very well share in the private sector.

The possibility of Iranian private sector investments in these fields of Pakistan with emphasis on Balochistan, has already been explored by Iranian delegation during its recent visit to Pakistan.

Decision on the functioning of defunct Pak-Iran textile complexes at Baleli near Quetta and at Uthal in Lasbela district of Balochistan has already been taken. These textile mills with most modern machinery are lying idle for about two decades for want of funds.

According to decision, Baleli Textile Mill would be manned by Iran and Uthal by Pakistan. Iran would start work on its restoration soon. It would take about eight months to be recommissioned. Similarly Pakistan would undertake work on restoration and resumption of Uthal Textile Mill, in near future.