Islamabad, December 14, 2011 – The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Entrepreneurs Project, has helped 13,000 conflict and flood-affected plant collectors and bee keepers in Upper Dir and Swat restart their businesses by providing essential tools and training.
In a U.S.-sponsored conference of the Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and Honey Industry held today in Islamabad, USAID Director for Pakistan Dr. Andrew Sisson explained, “The U.S. Government is committed to assist the people and government of Pakistan in revitalizing economic activity in the conflict and flood-affected communities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.” The conference helps economic recovery by bringing together plant collectors and bee-keepers to develop business opportunities and linkages to profitable markets.
“Assistance from the American people has helped uplift the economic situation of the poor communities,” said Director General of Provincial Reconstruction, Rehabilitation settlement Authority (PaRRSA), Shakeel Qadir. “This conference is a part of the broader agenda that USAID and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are pursuing together to bring sustainable economic change to the region.”
Here is the link to a six minute video on the program (in Urdu): http://mbf.cc/6aher