USAID grants Pakistan $445.6m over 5 years

Aid comes under bilateral Development Objectives Assistance Agreement (DOAG) for socio-economic uplift of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD:

The US Agency for International Development has granted Pakistan $445.6 million over a five-year period through a development objectives assistance agreement, the government said on Wednesday.

The aid will come under the bilateral Development Objectives Assistance Agreement (DOAG) for the socio-economic uplift of Pakistan through multiple initiatives.

In this connection, Secretary Economic Affairs Division Dr Kazim Niaz and USAID Mission Director to Pakistan Reed Aeschliman signed a new five-year bilateral DOAG.

The agreement was signed after a lag of 13 years as the last development partnership agreement, “Pakistan Enhanced Partnership Agreement (PEPA)”, was signed between the two countries in 2010 and under this agreement, the USAID will provide a grant of $445,600,000 over a period of five years.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and the visiting USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman.

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This agreement will be instrumental for socioeconomic uplift of Pakistan as it supports major areas like Climate-Resilient Economic Growth, Inclusive and Accountable Democratic Governance and a healthier and more educated population.

The development objectives of DOAG are in line with our national developmental vision/objectives and activities funded under this would be implemented in coordination with the Government of Pakistan, thereby continuing the close bilateral relationship, fostering effective coordination and the Government of Pakistan’s visibility.

The agreement was signed after an extensive consultative process with the federal and provincial departments. It launches a renewed effort for transparency and accountability as well as for increasing the involvement of Pakistani organizations in its implementation.