Jean-Maurice Ripert, Special Envoy of the United Nation's Secretary General for Assistance to Pakistan called on Federal Minister for Finance, Dr Abdul Hafeez Sheikh here Wednesday. Dr Hafeez Sheikh briefed Ripert about the economic situation of Pakistan.
He said that though in the initial stage, the present government encountered a number of economic problems but with its bold initiatives, the national economy today is in much better position. Referring to the positive signs of the national economy, the Minister said that exports have been picking up, forex reserves are showing signs of improvement, under the NFC Award the federal and provincial governments have better economic co-ordination, and overseas remittances are increasing.
However, Pakistan still faces a number of economic challenges for which it needs assistance and co-operation from all international donor agencies, he added. Ripert expressed his satisfaction on the economic policies of the Pakistani government, adding that the UNO intends to continue playing its role in the economic development of Pakistan through the fora like Friends of Democratic Pakistan, encouraging public private partnership in various crucial economic projects and the institutions building process in the country. He said that a democratic and economically developed Pakistan is in the interest of the region and the entire world.-PR