Dr Kalpana Kochhar, Chief Economist for South Asia Region, World Bank visited IBA Karachi, Centre for Executive Education on Thursday to share an enlightening report on 'More and better job opportunities in South Asia'. She was accompanied by the World Bank's lead economist, David Gould, who discussed the global economic outlook and its implications for developing countries, prior to the flagship report. David declared the current period both uncertain and volatile-one that is experiencing an economic slowdown the world over.
Dr Kochhar, however, maintained that the picture is not as bleak since South Asia has been creating a growing number of better jobs, where around 800,000 employment opportunities have been provided between the years 2000 and 2010. She emphasised on the need for a multi-sector reform agenda, non-farm employment, literacy and enhanced learning facilities to improve the situation further.
The World Bank report identified a shortage of electricity, corruption, political instability and tax mismanagement as some of the major constraints of industrial and economic growth in most South Asian countries including Pakistan. The presentations were followed by an interactive question-answer session. Dean and Director of IBA, Dr Ishrat Husain thanked the guests and concluded the session by distributing plaques to the esteemed visitors.-PR