Introduction

Kech has no major industry except a power generation plant at Buleda owned by WAPDA and a modern flour mill at Turbat. However some manufacturing enterprises are functional in the district. Factors inhibiting the growth of industry and manufacturing concerns include non-existent infrastructure, unavailability of skilled labour, lack of training institutions, and inability of government functionaries to support adequately.

Turbat being the divisional headquarters is relatively more developed in terms of business activities. Still there is potential for business if the adequate infrastructure and government support is made available. Essential infrastructure including roads and power are lacking in most parts of the district. There has been little planning regarding the provision of infrastructure, either due to lack of interest or fiscal resources.

Manufacturing

There are few manufacturing concerns in the district. Most of them are furniture making workshops, while others include ice factories, engineering workshops, and crushing plants. The ice factories work in summer only. There is more potential for manufacturing units but irregular electric supply and unavailability of skilled labour are the major constraints. The date factory has been closed due to losses.

A modern flour mill at Turbat

There is one flour mill equipped with modern technology. It is a 6 body factory with a capacity of 600 kilogram per hour production of flour. The flour produced is of 3 types. At present the mill works for 8 hours a day due to unavailability of wheat from the government depot. The ex-factory price of a flour bag of 80 kilogram is rupees 530. Every month the government provides 1,300 tonnes of wheat at subsidised price of rupees 5,150 per tonne. It is said that if the government provides more wheat, the mill can work for 24 hours a day.

A stone crushing plant at Turbat

Another manufacturing unit is a bread plant. It was established by a retired Oman army personnel in January 1996. It has proved a successful experience. There are 2 crushing plants which provide crush for construction work.

Trade (import/export)

Major trade in the district is illegal cross border import from Iran. Many of the consumer items, including flour, sugar, plastic goods, biscuits, blankets, liquid petroleum gas and poultry birds come from Iran and are relatively cheaper than the Pakistani ones. Although Makran Rangers and Pakistan Customs are responsible to check this illegal import, acquaintance of locals with the safe routes along with inefficient vigilance results in a large scale transportation of the goods into the district. Moreover local influential are of the view, that due to the low economic status of the majority of the population, it is imperative to allow this cross border trade. Unavailability of adequate road links to major civic centres like Karachi and Quetta is another factor for the high prices of Pakistani goods, which also results in a greater need for illegal imports. However, many Pakistani consumer items are imported from Karachi. Even some of the Iranian goods are imported from Quetta where these goods are available for lesser price. A small quantity of vegetables is imported from Panjgur.

Dates remains the major export item being exported to Karachi, Quetta, Sukkur, and other parts of the country. Dates produced in Kech are processed in Karachi and afterwards exported to foreign markets. One date processing unit was established at Turbat but has been closed due to mismanagement and continuous losses. The export of dates in raw form gives relatively less return and even the quantity to be exported depends upon the produce of dates in other parts of the country. If crop is good there, price of dates in Kech remains low and vice versa.

Tourism

There are some archaeological sites in the district, like Punnu’s fort and some old tombs but the inappropriate road links to Kech make the travelling difficult. There are 6 rest houses and 3 well furnished hotels which can provide good accommodation to tourists.

Handicrafts

Embroidery work is the main handicraft done by women of the area with excellent skill and craft. Mostly it is done on women’s dress for personal use. More skilled women receive orders to make dresses for other women also. The work is mainly done at home. The embroidery work is rarely sold in the local markets. Karachi and Quetta are the main importers of such work. Cost of such embroidery ranges from rupees 500 to 7,000 and work can take 3 to 6 months for completion. Almost all the women are skilled in craft, but as there is no "proper" marketing of such embroidery, the middle men really make the profit.

Department of Small and Medium Enterprise and Industrial Development

The Department of Industries exists at the provincial level, but it does not play an effective role for development of industries or small business enterprises at district level. The department has established a mini industrial estate at Turbat, but to date no investor has shown interest to set up an industry here. The department is imparting training in carpet making, leather embroidery and mazri work through its Carpet Centre, Leather Embroidery Centre and the Mazri Centre.

GO/NGO/SME, etc. involvement in Industrial Development

The federal government has provided support to the development of small enterprise and manufacturing through banking and a Technical Training Centre at Turbat. This centre was established in 1990. Now its recurrent budget is provided by the provincial government. It has 9 teachers and 21 auxiliary personnel. In this centre training is provided in 3 trades: auto mechanic, electrical wiring and welding. There is a demand for further trades like computer programming, air-conditioning and refrigeration. To date 300 students have completed their training from this centre while 52 are enrolled.

Banks, either in public or private sector, provide long and short term loans to finance various trade activities. Marketing is done through private sector, but there is not a very effective marketing network for export of goods from Kech.

Conclusion and major Development Issues

The district has only two industries, a power generation plant and a flour mill. A few manufacturing units and mills are also there. Import in Kech is, for the most part, illegal, i.e. smuggled in from Iran. Many consumer items are imported from Iran and are cheaper than the Pakistani items . The only considerable export product of the district is dates. Although it failed in the past because of mismanagement, a feasibility study for a date processing industry should still be conducted. Appropriate infrastructure is not available for development of business or manufacturing concerns. Even electricity, a basic necessity, is not available at regular basis to the major part of the district. It might be inferred that provision of infrastructure, like electricity and roads, can ensure increased manufacturing and business activities. Technical know-how and training for some more skills is highly needed to encourage industrial development.

Tourism is minimal as no remarkable tourism attraction is there. Embroidery work is done by women for personal use as handicrafts and a small proportion is sold out in the markets of Karachi and Quetta. Pish mats and baskets are also made by few people. Organised efforts may be directed towards development of embroidery work as cottage industry and, consequently, development of women folk. GOs, NGOs and SME need to make good use of the potential of women and provide them with loans and training to develop this industry. Handicrafts are a major income generation activity of women, which may attract both the national and the international market.