No stone unturned: High-level meetings abound in Washington
Finance minister Dar uses annual congregation to meet with counterparts.
Dar discussed cooperation in coalbased projects and Karachi Circular Railway project with Japan. PHOTO: ZAFAR ASLAM/EXPRESS
WASHINGTON:
Finance Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, met with several high level government officials from regional countries on the sidelines of the annual World Bank-International Monetary Fund meetings.
The finance minister, who is heading a top-level Pakistani delegation to annual World Bank – IMF meetings, also had a ‘productive’ meeting with President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Akihiko Tanaka, on economic development cooperation.
The finance minister briefed the JICA chief about the development plans of the government and appreciated Tokyo’s assistance in Pakistan’s economic development.
Senator Dar discussed cooperation in coal-based projects and Karachi Circular Railway project, which was a follow-up of the meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries in New York last month, an aide to the finance minister said.
The two sides agreed on pushing forward projects like Karachi Circular Railway and also examine potential for cooperation in new projects Islamabad wants to complete on priority basis. The JICA chief expressed appreciation for the government’s fiscal and economic measures and reforms towards economic stability.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with the Afghan Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal, Senator Dar discussed next month’s Joint Working Group meeting, due to be held in Kabul.
The two finance ministers were confident that they would be able to make decisions at the meeting on issues like Jalalabad-Torkham Road, railway link up to Landi Kotal, CASA 1000 and Afghan Transit Trade.
In another meeting, Finance Minister Dar and his Iranian counterpart Ali Taiebnia, discussed local trade within the framework of international sanctions imposed on Tehran over the nuclear issue. They also discussed how the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline could be financed in view of sanctions.
The finance minister was assisted in the meetings by Secretary Fianance Dr Waqar Masood Khan, Governor State Bank Yaseen Anwar, Secretary Economic Affairs Division Nargis Sethi, and Charge d’ Affaires at the Pakistani embassy Dr Asad Majeed Khan.
The side meetings were an important part of the trip according to government officials. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was not invited to speak at any of the events.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2013.
Finance Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, met with several high level government officials from regional countries on the sidelines of the annual World Bank-International Monetary Fund meetings.
The finance minister, who is heading a top-level Pakistani delegation to annual World Bank – IMF meetings, also had a ‘productive’ meeting with President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Akihiko Tanaka, on economic development cooperation.
The finance minister briefed the JICA chief about the development plans of the government and appreciated Tokyo’s assistance in Pakistan’s economic development.
Senator Dar discussed cooperation in coal-based projects and Karachi Circular Railway project, which was a follow-up of the meeting between the prime ministers of the two countries in New York last month, an aide to the finance minister said.
The two sides agreed on pushing forward projects like Karachi Circular Railway and also examine potential for cooperation in new projects Islamabad wants to complete on priority basis. The JICA chief expressed appreciation for the government’s fiscal and economic measures and reforms towards economic stability.
Meanwhile, in a meeting with the Afghan Finance Minister Omar Zakhilwal, Senator Dar discussed next month’s Joint Working Group meeting, due to be held in Kabul.
The two finance ministers were confident that they would be able to make decisions at the meeting on issues like Jalalabad-Torkham Road, railway link up to Landi Kotal, CASA 1000 and Afghan Transit Trade.
In another meeting, Finance Minister Dar and his Iranian counterpart Ali Taiebnia, discussed local trade within the framework of international sanctions imposed on Tehran over the nuclear issue. They also discussed how the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline could be financed in view of sanctions.
The finance minister was assisted in the meetings by Secretary Fianance Dr Waqar Masood Khan, Governor State Bank Yaseen Anwar, Secretary Economic Affairs Division Nargis Sethi, and Charge d’ Affaires at the Pakistani embassy Dr Asad Majeed Khan.
The side meetings were an important part of the trip according to government officials. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar was not invited to speak at any of the events.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2013.