World Bank Mission for PRSC Meets Hafeez Shaikh

Islamabad, November 11, 2003

A World Bank mission led by Ms. Manuela Ferro, Lead Economist held a meeting with Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh Federal Minister for Investment & Privatisation here today.

The mission is initiating preparation of the proposed Poverty Reduction Support Credit (PRSC). The mission discussed three years programme to develop a strategy to reduce poverty in Pakistan. The matters pertaining to generating economic growth, focusing the private sector development and the measures undertaken were reviewed.

Dr. Hafeez Shaikh stressed upon the need to conduct fresh survey for PRSC as the available data needed to be updated. The government was fully committed to eradicate poverty through economic reforms and create new job opportunities by inducting private sector in all the sectors, he said.

He further stated that the utilization of privatisation proceeds being  received through the implementation of privatisation program were meant only  for poverty alleviation and debt retirement under the privatisation law with a ratio of 10 % and 90 % respectively.

The mission remained with the Minister for some time and discussed various other related matters.