Islamabad: The World Bank says Pakistan has turned impossible into possible through its prudent steps for macroeconomic stability.
This was stated by Managing Director Operations of World Bank, Anna Bjerde during meeting with Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Thursday.
She is leading a delegation of World Bank on a visit to Pakistan. Anna Bjerde termed Pakistan's recent performance and stability in the economic sector, exemplary. She said World Bank values the historic partnership with Pakistan and looks forward to continuing it for positive outcomes.
The delegation head said acknowledging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's brilliant leadership, the Country Partnership Framework of World Bank is being named 'the Pakistan Model' in the world.
To this, she added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's leadership and commitment to welfare of people, continuing policies for long-term and sustainable development and taking all stakeholders into confidence, have become an example for the World Bank to emulate for its partnership framework in other countries.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said World Bank has always played a key role in Pakistan's development. He expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its Country Partnership, which will lead to development investment worth over 20 billion dollars in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister said government is ensuring practical steps to achieve the results of World Bank's development investment. He also made mention of the assistance of Bank during 2022 floods in Pakistan that affected the livelihoods and properties of millions of people.
Meanwhile Gobal port investor, the Hutchinson Ports has evinced interest in expanding its portfolio in Pakistan, terming it a suitable country for investment.
The interest was shown by CEO of Global port investor Hutchinson Ports Eric Ip who called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Thursday.
The CEO of Hutchinson Ports said the company is taking steps to introduce modern technology to Karachi Port.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said the government is ensuring all out facilities to international investors in the country.
He said Hutchinson Ports' investment in Pakistan for last three decades reflects its confidence in the country's economic policies.
The Prime Minister said modern technology is being introduced at ports in Pakistan and Hutchinson Ports has played an important role in this regard.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said Hutchinson Ports' services will prove valuable in establishing modern scanners for customs assessment at Pakistani ports. He said steps are being taken to make policies investor-friendly.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif says reforms in energy sector are topmost priority of the government. Chairing a meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, he directed that volume of circular debt should be gradually reduced and eliminated through reforms in the gas sector.
During the meeting, a long-term comprehensive plan on gas supply and consumption in the country was presented to the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the establishment of different blocks to increase domestic gas production and discover new reserves. The Prime Minister was also briefed on the financial stability of the gas sector, long-term planning and improvement of the governance system.