Australia to provide A$6m for flood relief

Besides A$92.8 million already announced for development assistance in 2011-12.

ISLAMABAD:

Australia will provide A$6 million as “lifesaving flood relief assistance” to Pakistan besides the A$92.8 million already announced for development assistance in 2011-12. Australian High Commissioner (HC) Tim George said this at the National Press Club here on Thursday.

He said Australia is “committed” to continue its strong scholarship program for Pakistani students.

“Australia shares Pakistan’s wish to further develop the bilateral trade and investment relationship, where there is much potential,” said the Australian envoy.

HC George told The Express Tribune said that his government is working to rectify the existing lack of familiarity with each others’ economies and business sector. “We have revived Pakistan-Australia Business Forum which was now up and running and it was a good opportunity for the business community from two sides,” the envoy added.

On Agro development cooperation between the two countries, HC George said that the Australian government, through its Agriculture Sector Linkages Program, is working with local experts, workers, government and farmers to improve the quality and output of crops in Pakistan with special focus on mangoes, citrus and dairy farming.

“Our government last year specially commissioned a report focused on areas where we could improve collaboration on agro-business. It includes specific areas where lot more can be done,” he said.

He added that a major focus of the development aid to Pakistan will remains on the farmers in underdeveloped areas and the private sector was also being taken on board in all existing business cooperation initiatives.

He stressed that the conditions for students and immigrants from Pakistan to Australia are substantially favourable compared to other countries. “Australia is a multi-cultural, diverse and very tolerant country,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2011.