Globalisation no threat to economy, says adviser

The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance, Dr Salman Shah, on Saturday said globalisation was not a threat to Pakistan's fast growing economy and those who were scared of it can not foresee its hidden benefits to Pakistan.
The adviser expressed these views while concluding a two-day workshop held here on PRSP-II. The theme of the workshop was globalisation, unemployment, gender inequality and environment. Babar Ayaz, a known journalist and expert on economy, conducted the proceedings of the show.
Dr Salman Shah said the government would take all steps to make the forthcoming budget pro-poor and deliver goods to underprivileged section of the society. He hinted at major reforms in many areas to achieve the target set for Budget 2006-07.
These were up-gradation of vocational institutions to make them modern and advance centres to provide required standard of skill to the youth, focusing on livestock to increase the income of rural community, effective monitoring of the funds being spent on social sector uplift and imparting quality education to the students to help them compete internationally, he added.
UNDP chief to Pakistan assured all out financial support for Pakistan's initiatives meant to bring less developed areas. He appreciated the idea of consultations for PRSP programme by holding such workshops.
The experts from the government and non-government organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations gave recommendations for improvement in key areas to deal with issues like poverty and unemployment.
It proposed to streamline and integrate various social security programs to enhance their effectiveness. It also proposed effective monitoring of the social sector programmes for full utilisation.
The workshop termed New Murree Housing Scheme as a fraud and recommended that it should be banned immediately. It was also seen as a serious threat to regional environment. It also recommended review of fishing policy with specific focus on promoting and protecting the local small fishing industry.