Pakistan committed to poverty alleviation, says PM

Says regional cooperation is necessary for the countries

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to promote economic cooperation through regional integration and achieve the goal of poverty reduction.

Addressing the 15th ministerial meeting of Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC), the premier said that for the collective benefit of the region it is necessary for the government member countries to work towards betterment of their people.

Nawaz said CAREC was an important programme that encouraged regional countries to develop physical network, infrastructure, peace, stability and economic development.

He mentioned that the forum was significant in poverty reduction by facilitating trade policies among its member countries.

He welcomed the delegates from 200 countries and expressed confidence that their attendance at the meeting would help realise the dream of the region’s prosperity and development.

Proposing measures for the promotion of CAREC’s vision, he said a pool of experts could be established in CAREC countries to work on knowledge in human resource.

“Knowledge of these experts in sectors of finance, banking, marketing, energy and infrastructure could be utilised, which would result in intra-regional transfer of information,” he added.

He said Pakistan complied with international standards in trade activities and mentioned the improved economic conditions of the country.

He appreciated that CAREC had mobilised $29 billion in regional development projects and expressed hope that the mid-term review of CAREC in next 10 years would prove as an opportunity to fast-track economic cooperation.

He said Pakistan is a key facilitator of CAREC, bridging South Asia and Central Asia.

“The situation has never been more challenging, however, we are cognizant of dealing with them effectively,” he added.

The premier mentioned that the government was experiencing an economic revival at present, with a greater momentum gained in energy, transport and infrastructure activities under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He hoped that besides Pakistan, CPEC would benefit CAREC countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2016.