Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), met with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday to discuss progress of financial inclusion in Pakistan, Foreign Office said.

While appreciating the UNSGSA's dedication to promote financial inclusion, the foreign minister said that her visit would provide added impetus to ongoing initiatives in the country. He also highlighted the steps taken by Pakistan to promote financial inclusion.

The minister informed the UNSGSA that the government had prioritized the National Financial Inclusion Strategy 'NFIS' as part of its initial 100-day agenda.

"Its implementation by 2023 is expected to lead to a creation of three million new jobs and additional exports of $ 5.5 billion through enhanced access to finance for SMEs," Qureshi said, according to the statement.

In line with the purpose of Queen Máxima's visit, the foreign minister also invited to the meeting a select group of civil society representatives working on financial inclusion and development of women in Pakistan.

Sadaffe Abid, founder of CIRCLE, Khalida Brohi, founder of Sughar Foundation, Fiza Farhan, former CEO Buksh Foundation, and Shehzad Roy, founder of Zindagi Trust, attended the meeting and provided valuable inputs.

The UNSGSA appreciated Pakistan's efforts including the prioritization of access to financial service for women and promoting inclusive Fintech- the use of technology in financial services.

Queen Máxima arrived in Pakistan on Monday on a three-day visit. She is also expected to meet the President and Prime Minister during the visit. The Dutch queen was received by senior officials of the foreign ministry and representatives of the Embassy of Netherlands at Nur Khan Air Base.

Queen Máxima has been the UN Secretary General's Special Advocate (UNSGSA) for Inclusive Finance for Development since 2009. In this capacity, she is actively engaged worldwide in promoting access of individuals and enterprises to financial services at a reasonable cost, with the aim of improving economic and social development opportunities. Queen Máxima had earlier visited Pakistan in February 2016.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019