A 10-member Mission of Official Development Assistance (ODA) from Japan led by Director Economic Co-operation Bureau of Foreign Office, Koichi Aiboshi held a meeting with Dr Salman Shah, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Economic Affairs, here on Saturday.
The Japanese mission is visiting Pakistan for consultation with the authorities and to speed up the process of project financing after the resumption of yen loan to Pakistan.
Appreciating the revival of yen loan and grant assistance for the relief and reconstruction efforts of earthquake-hit areas, Dr Salman gave an overview of improved macroeconomic indicators which the Adviser said were due to structural changes and policy reforms agenda of the government.
Dr Salman mentioned that ODA programme fits in Pakistan's development strategy.
The growth trajectory of the country's economy has shown significant progress despite tremendous international and domestic challenges, he said, adding the FDI has gained momentum, GDP growth is maintaining robust upward trends, budget deficit is reduced, tax collection is increasing, domestic and external debt is declining, exports are on the increase and services sector has improved.
Referring to the long-term strategy, the Adviser said that in order to achieve sustainable higher growth and to improve productivity we have increased the investment for human resource development, higher education, technical and vocational training and are focusing to build infrastructure, water reservoirs, highways, communications network and supply chain etc. Referring to the privatisation programme, the Adviser stated that there are 10 to 15 billion dollars of assets that will be privatised in the next five years.
The Japanese delegation remarked that they were happy to note that Pakistan's economy was booming and assured availability of yen loan to Pakistan for viable projects in key sectors like roads, water, power generation and distribution etc.