Chitral Times Report
ISLAMABAD: Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, in her capacity as the UN Secretary General’s Special Advocate (UNSGSA) for Inclusive Finance for Development, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at PM Office today. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation for Her Majesty’s commitment to the promotion of Financial Inclusion for Development. He said that her visit to Pakistan would provide added impetus to the ongoing efforts by the Government for promotion of financial inclusion in Pakistan. The Prime Minister also apprised Queen Maxima of various welfare initiatives taken by the government including the flagship ‘Ehsaas Programme’. These initiatives, he added, were aimed at promoting financial inclusion especially for women and young people, with the ultimate goal of poverty alleviation, inclusive economic development and women empowerment. UNSGSA appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for promoting financial inclusion in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and reiterated support for Pakistan’s quest for poverty alleviation and inclusive economic development. While appreciating Prime Minister Imran Khan’s efforts of prioritizing access of women to finance and digitizing government payments and procedures, the Queen stressed the need for promotion of Fintech – the use of technology in financial services – while safeguarding privacy and ensuring security and efficiency.
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The same day Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, the UN Secretary General’s Special Advocate (UNSGSA) for Inclusive Finance for Development, called on President Dr. Arif Alvi at Aiwan-e-Sadr today. While welcoming the Queen, the President expressed appreciation for UNSGSA’s commitment to the promotion of Financial Inclusion for Development. The President stated that Pakistan had achieved a significant progress on financial inclusion since UNSGSA’s last visit in 2016 and this visit will also have positive implications on the ongoing initiatives in the country. The President apprised Queen Maxima on the steps Pakistan would take under the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) till 2023 for further promoting financial inclusion in the country with emphasis on women financial inclusion. The President stressed that Pakistan considers financial inclusion as an effective tool to achieve progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), eradicate poverty, and realizing inclusive economic growth. The UNSGSA briefed the President on her engagements in Islamabad and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s efforts including the prioritization of access to financial services for women and promoting inclusive Fintech – the use of technology in financial services.
Meanwhile Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development (UNSGSA), visited the Finance Division today for a meeting with Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance & Revenue Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and his economic team. During the meeting, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh gave the Queen a detailed overview of the economic situation in Pakistan with a focus on various policy steps and initiatives undertaken by the government to restore macroeconomic stability and the progress achieved in recent months in different sectors, particularly 40 % decrease in current account deficit, over 15 per cent growth in revenue collection, grant of incentives and loan facility to exporters, tax exemption on exports, investment of over US $1 billion foreign investment in local bond market, doubling of budget allocations for social safety net, disbursement of direct financial support and stipends to women, youth and students, and nearly 240 per cent growth in foreign direct investment during the last four months as compared to corresponding period last year. The adviser also spoke on the issue of inflation and enhancing local productivity through various policy means and measures. He further briefed the Queen on the nature of public finance and mechanism for resource distribution between the centre and provinces and allocation of funds and resources for protection of the poor and marginalized sections of the population. The Queen thanked the Adviser for a comprehensive presentation of various aspects of the economy and shared her view on a range of economic issues, including the need for enhanced financial inclusion, better coordination among different tiers of the government, digitalization in government departments, role of innovations and information technology in enhancing transparency and efficiency in government and support to start-ups and new businesses.
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Queen Máxima, UNSGSA meets the Foreign Minister
Chitral Times Report
ISLAMABAD: Her Majesty 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 today to discuss progress of financial inclusion in Pakistan. 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. Foreign Minister also highlighted 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 SME’s. In line with the purpose of Queen Maxima’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. Her Majesty Queen Maxima arrived in Pakistan this morning on a three-day visit. She is also expected to meet the President and Prime Minister during the visit.
