DAVOS: Co- Chairman of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Bill Gates on Wednesday appreciated Pakistan's anti-polio and healthcare initiatives in a meeting with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.
The two leaders, who are attending theWorld Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, discussed the universal health coverage initiatives and polio eradication in Pakistan.
Gates expressed hope that all the stakeholders will make the final push to achieve the cherished goal of complete eradication of polio from the remaining parts of the country, according to a press release from the Prime Minister's office.
Gates thanked Abbasi for thecontinued commitment of the government of Pakistan in achieving the objective of eradicating polio from Pakistan. He also appreciated the prime minister's personal commitment towards this end.
The prime minister discussed avenues of partnership in health, education and other social sectors with Gates. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and empowerment of farmers through financial and digital inclusion was also discussed during the meeting.
"We are focused on social sector reforms and the recent major initiatives of our government in health and education (sectors) would certainly benefit people in general and the poor and vulnerable in particular," said Abbasi.
The prime minister also apprised about the progress made by Directorate of National Savings that has partnered with Karandaaz Pakistan to digitize over 7 million accounts and certificate holders among which more than half of them are women.
Federal Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Saira Afzal Tarar, Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb, Special Assistant to PM Ali Jehangir Siddiqui, and senior government officials were also present at the meeting.
Abbasi was received by Pakistan's Ambassador in Switzerland Ahmad Naseem Warraich after he arrived in Davos on Tuesday, January 23, 2018, to participate in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
Abbasi will participate in a number of important events and hold bilateral meetings with key world leaders, as well as chairpersons and CEOs of fifteen leading multinational organisations from the US, Europe, China, and Japan.
Abbasi, during his meeting with the President of Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) Jin Liqun in Davos today, stated that socio-economic integration and uplift of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)region is a major priority for the Government of Pakistan.
The prime minister emphasized that funding water storage dams in FATA region would help in the seamless reintegration and upliftingof the region.
He also sought the support of AIIB for implementation of some of shovel-ready projects in water conservation, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
During the meeting, Abbasi emphasized that funding water storage dams in FATA region would help in reintegrating and uplifting the region seamlessly.
Abbasi reiterated that Pakistan was AIIB’s most enthusiastic supporter in its early stages and expressed the hope to build a strong and sustained relationship.
AIIB is a Multilateral Development Bank that provides financing support for infrastructure and regional connectivity.
Pakistan is one of the founding members of the bank, which boasts a capital of US$ 100 billion.