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.