US senators plan to set up Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) in Afghanistan-Pakistan border regions and have introduced the Pakistan-Afghanistan Economic Development Act for this. ROZs will allow certain products from these areas to enter US duty-free. They will generate a great economic opportunity for the people in the war-torn areas and lay the groundwork for a more stable region, said the Senators —Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat; Todd Young, an Indiana Republican; and Maria Cantwell, a Washington Democrat.

Prabhu Dhamodharan, Convenor, Indian Texpreneurs Federation believes, ROZ will give Pakistan an edge over other competing Asian countries. It will boost Pakistan’s import of US apparels from the current 2.5 per cent. To increase its market share, the Indian government needs to derive an action plan to get some duty advantage for products like apparel, adds Dhamodharan.