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ISLAMABAD, September 7, 2009 — While Balochistan’s development has been lagging behind in the past, this is high time that the province draws on its natural resources and strategic location to promote inclusive economic development, as indicated in a report titled Balochistan Economic Report – From Periphery to Core. The study draws lessons from Balochistan’s development record and presents a roadmap for future economic development. The report was jointly released by the Government of Balochistan, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.
The economic development of Balochistan province has been relatively slower than in other provinces, but there are good reasons to be optimistic about the future. The provincial and federal governments have launched major uplift initiatives in economic and social sectors and invested in infrastructure to improve connectivity. Just as Sui gas fuelled Pakistan’s industrialization in the second half of the 20th century, Balochistan’s trade and energy ties with Iran, the Middle East and the rest of the world are supporting Pakistan’s economic expansion today. Boosting energy supply depends to a large degree on pipelines and transmission lines from Iran, Middle East, and Central Asia that pass through Balochistan; and scaling up national trade hinges largely on turning Gwadar into a viable, well connected port, as well as transforming Balochistan’s natural riches in mining, fisheries, and agro-products into profitable exports. Combined with the admirable resilience and resourcefulness of Balochistan’s people, such programs and projects can overcome the impediments that have held back provincial prosperity for decades.
The report argues that pursuing a development agenda around generating growth, delivering services, and financing development can make sure that Balochistan’s development path is inclusive, where the gains are shared across sub-regions and population groups. Generating growth requires leveraging resource and locational advantages, deepening its capacity for value-addition, and strengthening the foundations for business activity. Delivering services depends on improving the public administration, making devolution more effective and scaling-up of basic services with innovative approaches involving the private sector and communities. Finally, financing development relies on a prudent management of provincial expenditures, strengthening the capacity for revenue collection, and advancing administrative reform. |
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