The Obama administration is backing a proposal initiated under President George W. Bush that would allow poor tribal regions in Pakistan and Afghanistan to sell clothing and goods they make to U.S. buyers tax-free.
A group of House lawmakers, led by Rep. Chris Van Hollen, reintroduced legislation on Wednesday that would enable the president to designate “Reconstruction Opportunity Zones” inside the two countries from which goods could be imported into the U.S. duty-free.
“We truly share the goal of this legislation to fuel sustainable economic development and provide legitimate employment opportunities for the peoples of Afghanistan and Pakistan,” said White House adviser Paul Jones at a Capitol Hill news conference.
“Achieving that would send a strong message of our long-term commitment to the peace, security and prosperity of the region,” said Jones, who serves as deputy to Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The endorsement is the first of several steps the new administration is expected to take to increase stability in the region, which in recent months has seen an uptick in violence and resurgence of Taliban strongholds.
