Secretary General-designate of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) Dr Supachai Panitchpakdi has commended Pakistan's economic revival and growth. He praised Pakistani leadership for bringing about macroeconomic stability and stimulating rapid growth.
Dr Supachai shared his impressions with Ambassador Masood Khan, Pakistan's permanent representative to the United Nations who met him at his office.
Dr Supachai is scheduled to assume his new office on September 1, 2005. Currently he is the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
He said that at UNCTAD his special focus would be on enhancing the capacities of the developing countries in the areas of finance, technology, investment and sustainable development.
Ambassador Masood Khan said that after the Sao Paulo Consensus UNCTAD was today standing at a higher platform of multilateralism and expressed hope that under Dr Supachai's leadership UNCTAD would emerge as a strong pillar in the international organisational infrastructure.
Ambassador Masood Khan briefed Dr Supachai about recent positive trends in Pakistan's economy. Overall trade was projected to be well over $30 billion next year. An environment had been created in which private sector could thrive, more attention was being given to poverty reduction, education and health, Pakistan's economic competitiveness had been strengthened, Khan observed.
The privatisation programme was on course and massive effort was being made to improve Pakistan's social infrastructure.
Masood Khan also informed Dr Supachai that Pakistan was on track in moving towards achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, particularly in the areas of poverty reduction, education and health.
Dr Supachai said that he looked forward to working closely with Pakistan as he moved into his new assignment.