America to help for tourism in Swat, Pakistan.

[UmarJustice]

Much respect to Richard Olsen and the U.S. here.

Repayment for the war.

Growth projections: Washington to help revive tourism in Swat, Olson

US envoy Richard Olson reaffirmed on Thursday his country’s continued support for the development of Pakistan, particularly through the revival of tourism in Swat Valley, which suffered setbacks due to militancy and natural disasters.

Olson expressed these views while addressing business owners from the valley along with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Governor Engineer Shaukatullah Khan.
The event was organised by US Agency for International Development (USAID) to celebrate economic recovery in the Swat Valley. “The US will support business owners in Swat for boosting the tourism sector in the scenic valley, which is a great attraction for local and foreign tourists,” the ambassador said.
Highlighting the cooperation between the USAID and the K-P government, Olson said that the revenue generated by the tourism sector has increased despite being hit by a series of crises. Hotels and fisheries industries, previously marred by conflicts and floods have increased their sales from $454,000 in 2010 to $4.2 million in 2012, and have generated more than 2,000 new jobs, he added.
“In the wake of damage that had devastated this area over the past five years, the US government and the government of Pakistan mutually decided to prioritise the recovery of Swat’s economy in 2010,” said Olson. These efforts have helped create jobs and enhance incomes of the people in the valley, he added.

Praising the US government for its assistance, Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa Governor Engineer Shaukatullah said that the tourism sector had been revived with the support and cooperation extended through its development agency USAID. The governor said that such efforts will be instrumental in discouraging terrorism.
Historically, tourism has been a key economic driver in the valley and at one time contributed $60 million a year to the local economy. Conflict and floods severely damaged hotels and caused a significant decline in revenues. To help jump-start the economic revival, in 2010, USAID joined the Provincial Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Settlement Authority to launch a Swat tourism rehabilitation programme.
Under the programme, the United States provided $5.4 million through grants, technical assistance and in-kind support such as construction materials, supplies, and equipment to 22 fisheries and 239 hotels. According to estimates, local hotels now earn eight times more revenue than they did before the project began. Additionally, fisheries too are now generating twelve times more revenue. USAID projects that the Swat Valley tourism industry will continue to grow in 2013, reaching $5 million.

Growth projections: Washington to help revive tourism in Swat, Olson – The Express Tribune

 

[Safriz]

Whats the catch?
America never does anything for free....

 

[Cherokee]

Whats the catch?
America never does anything for free....

Matter of fact is no one does anything for free . There is always something involved .

 

[Armstrong]

Oh for godsake - We don't need this !

If you wanna help us - Just take most of our Civilian Executives & give them beach condos at Guantanamo !

 

[F.O.X]

Nice , So the ones who destroyed it , want to rebuild it again .... No thanks .

 

[Argus Panoptes]

Nice , So the ones who destroyed it , want to rebuild it again .... No thanks .

Can you please clarify that comment for my benefit? How and when did USA destroy Swat? Was it a joint operation with the Pak Army? Or are you referring to the Taleban who took over the valley?

 

[Pakistanisage]

As America leaves Afghanistan, it will need a base in Pakistan for their protege "TTP". What better place to keep Taliban safe and operating as per the US desires than Swat Valley.

 

[F.O.X]

Can you please clarify that comment for my benefit? How and when did USA destroy Swat? Was it a joint operation with the Pak Army? Or are you referring to the Taleban who took over the valley?

Molvi FM group was financed by US , there is a reason that Baste*d is still hiding in Afghanistan , in front of US eyes & they just dont want to capture him .

 

[Bratva]

Molvi FM group was financed by US , there is a reason that Baste*d is still hiding in Afghanistan , in front of US eyes & they just dont want to capture him .

And never ending cries of Pakistani Establishment continues as if they hadn' turned blind eye towards Haqqani group activities in North waziristan. Go shoot Musharraf who made a pact with Americans to have a large presence in Pakistan,or turned blind eye towards Mullah FM group until he took over whole SWAT. Where was Pakistan Army or Intel agencies were sleeping when Mullah FM was taking over SWAT during GENERAL MUSHARRAF rule?

 

[Argus Panoptes]

Molvi FM group was financed by US , there is a reason that Baste*d is still hiding in Afghanistan , in front of US eyes & they just dont want to capture him .

Good point, but who allowed Mullah FM to takeover Swat? And who went in to take it back?

 

[Ayush]

the aesthetic importance of swat valley to pakistan is perhaps same as kashmir valley to india.

both are or can be excellent tourist destinations.

 

[CENTCOM]

In a way it is true that all countries act based on their national interests, but when the national interests of the concerned states are to bring some sense of order and stability in a state, which would prove beneficial to everyone, should we really be thinking of ulterior sinister motives? We believe that one of the ways in which we could fight extremism and violence is through helping build better economic conditions in states that are plagued by violent extremists. However, having said that, I hope you are well aware that USAID does provide support and economic assistance to many states and programs that, to satisfy the cynicism, “they don’t get anything out of”.

As for blaming us for the destruction caused by the floods and the militancy occupying Swat, I think it is best for us all if we refrain from living in denial. In fact, we have often expressed that we support the Pakistani military’s initiatives to fight all terrorist groups in Pakistan that are responsible for indiscriminant death and destruction. Conspiracy theories have never helped any country resolve issues of national harm.

And a note to F.O.X: since you appear to have some knowledge of the whereabouts of Molvi Fazlullah, that we do not, we would really be interested in your information. Baseless accusations really do not help anyone except if your aim is to throw dirt our way, believe me, it won’t stick.

Ali Khan
DET – U.S. Central Command
U.S. Central Command

 

[RazPaK]

I don't think Pakistan needs tourists like Raymond Davis.

 

[M.harris]

Right know these Americans want aid also their country is becoming from United states of america to united states of poor

 

[SHAMK9]

Re-Building malam Jabba resort could be a good start.
PTDC to arrange Swat Snow Festival in Malam Jabba