ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar met Najy Benhassine, country director of the World Bank in Pakistan, in his office at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, said a press release issued on Saturday.

Both sides discussed the priority areas of engagement to strengthen the WB’s portfolio in Pakistan.

The minister thanked and appreciated the World Bank for extending US$200 million package to help Pakistan take effective and timely action to respond to the pandemic.

He also appreciated the support of the World Bank for locust emergency control project worth of US$200 million to mitigate the adverse impact of parasite attack on food basket of the country.

The minister apprised the visiting dignitary of approval of economic reforms proposed by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

He also shared the Prime Minister’s direction to expedite the economic reforms in coordination with global donors.

He said that the process would enable the government to complete three DPCs with the WB (SHIFT, RISE and PACE) in due course of time.

Bakhtyar urged the country director to expand the priority areas of cooperation with Pakistan in the field of energy, tourism, low-cost housing scheme, and availability of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Najy, the country director, thanked the minister for WB portfolio review exercise. He also appreciated the government’s resolve to expedite the implementation of the WB-funded projects. He assured that the WB would consider the recommendations of the minister to strengthen the WB’s portfolio in Pakistan.—PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020