Pak-Argentina diplomatic ties: ‘Inclusive growth, political stability key to development’

Argentine envoy adds flowers to Argentina Park at ceremony marking 65 years of diplomatic relations

ISLAMABAD: If we are to tackle the challenges of development, we need to think in terms of inclusive economic growth and political stability.

This was said by Argentine Ambassador Ivan Ivanissevich,  on Wednesday at a flower offering ceremony at Argentina Park. The ceremony commemorated the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Argentina and Pakistan.

Nobody achieves development without defeating the scourge of poverty, he said, before elaborating on the broader impact of poverty. Poverty leads to exclusion of health services, and “promotes an unskilled and unhealthy workforce, thereby eroding incentives to both domestic and international investment in developing countries”. Finally, he added, poor people mean poor consumers, thus inhibiting domestic demand and further eroding the interest of prospective investors.

He noted that poverty is also a source of political instability, as poor people easily fall prey to the easy money promised by crime, and false political promises that too often lead countries into crises if not chaos.

“If we are to tackle the challenges of development, we need to think in terms of inclusive economic growth and political stability,” he said.

A more colourful note

At the event, Ambassador Ivanissevich was joined by Islamabad Mayor and CDA Chairman Sheikh Anser  Aziz and Foreign Office Americas,  Additional Secretary, Dr Asad Majeed Khan, as they presented the flowers at a monument in Argentina Park, which is a symbol of the long standing friendship between Argentina and Pakistan.

Also present were a number of other foreign envoys, government officials, and the heads of various international organisations.

Ambassador Ivanissevich,  delivered a speech highlighting the importance of the event for Argentina and referring to the excellent state of bilateral relations with Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2016.