Omar Ayub Khan appreciates German’s enhanced bilateral economic cooperation with Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Feb 14 (SABAH): Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan appreciated the German’s enhanced bilateral economic cooperation with Pakistan and expressed that both countries are long-standing development partners.
Talking to State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany Jochen Flasbarth in Islamabad on Monday, Umar Ayub Khan said that Germany is playing a supportive role in providing technical and financial assistance for socioeconomic development in Pakistan.
He briefed the German delegation about the ongoing policy reforms and initiatives and development priorities of Pakistan which include a stronger focus on climate change, green energy, agriculture, regional connectivity and information communication technologies.
He emphasized the need to focus on Vocational and Technical Education in the country and a proposal for establishing a state-of-the-art Technical Training University in Gilgit-Baltistan in under consideration.
The German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development expressed satisfaction at the trajectory of bilateral cooperation in different areas and discussed the ways to further enhance the bilateral technical and financial cooperation. He said that Germany will provide further assistance for Social Sector including Education and Health, Green Energy, Urban Infrastructure, Digital Governance and Start-Up Pakistan Programme.
Both sides also exchanged views on increasing the cost effectiveness of development assistance initiatives and the measures to enhance cooperation with the private sector including export competitiveness through technical and financial assistance.
German State Secretary for Economic Cooperation and Development Jochen Flasbarth who is on three-day visit to Pakistan, met with Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood in Islamabad today.
Both sides exchanged views on bilateral relations as well as regional issues.
The Foreign Secretary said Germany is a valued, long-standing partner and Pakistan remained committed to further enhancing the bilateral relationship in all dimensions.
He said the two countries celebrated 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations last year as Islamabad values Germany’s role as a development partner for over six decades.
He said that Pakistan is committed to supporting the international community’s efforts to strengthen peace and stability in Afghanistan. He said that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan would result in greater regional integration and connectivity.
He emphasized the urgency to assist 40 million Afghan people in order to prevent a humanitarian crisis and economic meltdown.
The State Secretary appreciated Pakistan’s assistance in its evacuation operations from Afghanistan and hoped for Pakistan’s continued support in this regard.