PPAF, ITC ink MoU for mutual cooperation to reduce poverty

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) and International Trade Centre (ITC) Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for developing a framework to cooperate in poverty reduction in rural areas of Sindh and Balochistan.

The MoU was signed at the PPAF office here, under which PPAF would provide technical input based on its research, experience and expertise of working with the grassroots communities.

While ITC would provide support in developing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and creating gender inclusive employment and income opportunities by linking them with the global markets.

On the occasion, Rob Skidmore, Chief, Sector and Enterprise Competitiveness Division of Enterprises and Institutions of ITC said the MoU would help make a real difference in the lives of the poor by combining experiences and expertise of both the organizations.

Qazi Azmat Isa, Chief Executive Officer, PPAF, said that the partnership between PPAF and ITC would open new avenues for expanding scope of PPAF’s work and contributing towards United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals.

It is pertinent to mention that ITC is the joint technical cooperation agency of the World Trade Organization, aiming to build awareness and improving the availability and use of trade intelligence, strengthening trade and investment support institutions and policy makers, connecting to international value chains and promoting and mainstreaming inclusive and green trade.

The PPAF is the lead apex institutions for community-driven development in Pakistan and works as private sector organization in support of public policy by providing an array of financial and non-financial services to the poorest and the most marginalised rural households and communities across Pakistan.