From: "U.S. Department of State" <usstatebpa@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: March 14, 2008 5:15:52 PM EDT
To: pakistan@xxxxxxxx
Subject: Press Releases: Introduction of Pakistan-Afghanistan
Reconstruction Opportunity Zone (ROZ) Legislation
Press Releases: Introduction of Pakistan-Afghanistan Reconstruction
Opportunity Zone (ROZ) Legislation
Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:42:40 -0500
Press Statement
Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
March 14, 2008
Introduction of Pakistan-Afghanistan Reconstruction Opportunity
Zone (ROZ) Legislation
We welcome the introduction by Senators Maria Cantwell, Orrin
Hatch, Kit Bond, Joe Lieberman, and Chuck Hagel of legislation that
would authorize the President to designate Reconstruction
Opportunity Zones (ROZs) throughout Afghanistan, and in the border
regions and earthquake-affected areas of Pakistan (S. 2776).
Specified goods produced within the ROZs would be eligible for duty-
free entry into the United States. Passage of this legislation as
drafted would fulfill a goal President Bush announced during his
March 2006 visit to Islamabad and Kabul. It also would send a
strong message of support to the people of Afghanistan and
Pakistan, symbolizing our long-term commitment to the security,
peace, and prosperity of the region.
This bill constitutes a vital component of the Administration’s
three-pronged military, political, and economic strategy for
Afghanistan and Pakistan. By encouraging production in ROZs, this
bill would fuel sustainable economic development and provide
legitimate employment opportunities, particularly in the border
area, as an alternative to violent extremism. ROZs are designed to
leverage the power of the private sector to create jobs and fuel
sustainable economic development in this critical region. In so
doing, ROZs would provide a potent tool in the fight against
extremism by giving Afghanis and Pakistanis a critical chance to
improve their own lives.
We look forward to working with the House and Senate in a
bipartisan and constructive manner as the legislative process
continues on this bill.
2008/196
Released on March 14, 2008
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