ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Pakistan looks forwardto greater partnership with World Bank in critical areas includingeco-tourism, mountain and religious tourism in the country.

Talking to a delegation of World Bank headed by Vice President South AsiaHartwig Schafer in Islamabad today he said that these sectors which have ahuge potential towards uplift of the poor and poverty alleviation.

He highlighted various steps being taken by the government towards economicstability, poverty alleviation and improving ease of doing business in thecountry.

The delegation comprised of Vice President Human Development Annete Dixon,Country Director Illangovan Patchamuthu, Operations Manager Melinda Goodand Senior Country Manager IFC Nadeem Siddiqui. Special Assistant of PrimeMinister on Political Affairs Naeem-ul-Haq, Secretary Finance Arif AhmedKhan and others were also present in the meeting.

The delegation appreciated Prime Minister’s vision on economic stability ofthe country, human development and addressing the issue of stunted growthdue to malnutrition. It briefed the Prime Minister about various ongoingprojects of the World Bank in various sectors including water supply,sewerage and waste management, transportation and connectivity, capacitybuilding and ease of doing business in the country.

It also offered WB’s assistance in attracting foreign investments,analytics, sharing of expertise and technical knowledge in various sectorsto help the Government translate its vision into reality.

Welcoming the offer, the Prime Minister appreciated World Bank’s continuedengagement with Pakistan and its support towards capacity building,infrastructure development and economic growth.