DAVOS - Pakistani PM Imran Khan impressive key note speech at the World Economic Forum 2020 in Davos.
In his key note speech at the World Economic Forum 2020 in Davos today (Wednesday), Prime Minister Imran Khan stated that Pakistan’s economy is in the right direction following tough decisions taken by his government. He hoped that coming year will bring growth and job opportunities in the country.
“My government inherited the worst economic crisis in the history with biggest current account deficit and fiscal deficit. I pay tribute to the economic team. We took very tough decisions. I have been in public for 40 years but I have never seen such public attitude which I have witnessed in the last one year because of all these tough decisions taken by my government,” the Prime Minister stated.
He said people are hurt naturally when you squeeze the economy for stabilisation. Fortunately, our economy has stabilised and the rupee that was falling against dollar, has gained a bit in the last few months, stock market has gone up while the year-to-year investment in Pakistan has also increased by 200 percent.
“We are in the right direction now. Although, we still have a lot of hard work to do,” he added.
The Prime Minister said that the government is now looking towards economic growth. Pakistan has a population of 210 million people and sixty percent of our population comprises of youth. This has a huge potential to play an important role in economic development of the country.
Imran Khan said we have started skill development programs encouraging youth to start their own businesses and entrepreneurial projects. We hope to harness the potential of our youth for economic prowess of the country.
Imran Khan said Pakistan is endowed with rich mineral resources including gold and other deposits and we are now focusing to exploit these fully. He said apart from minerals, Pakistan is blessed with fertile land whose full potential has yet to be explored. He said with the help of China under China Pakistan Economic Corridor, work is being done in enhancing the agricultural productivity of the country.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan is placed at a very important geostrategic position. He said with the peace in Afghanistan, Pakistan can tap the benefits of energy rich Central Asia besides acting as a bridge between East and West Asia.
Referring to Pakistan’s relations with its neighbouring countries, he said with the normalization of relations with biggest neighbour India, development and prosperity can be achieved.
He said the biggest challenge for his government is to bring reforms in state institutions to improve governance and work is being undertaken in this regard.