ISLAMABAD: US Undersecretary of State Catherine Novelli has congratulated Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar on receiving award of Best Finance Minister of the Year for South Asia and said it was “totally deserved”.
This, she said during a telephonic call with Ishaq Dar who called her late last night, a statement of Finance Ministry here on Friday said. The award had been given by Emerging Markets, newspaper of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Annual Meeting.
She also appreciated Pakistan’s first time completion of IMF’s 3-years programme and successful implementation of reform agenda, leading to the direction of macroeconomic stability.
The Finance Minister apprised her of his domestic commitments, including All Parties Conference and Joint Session of the Parliament to discuss the situation on the Line of Control (LoC), which necessitated him to cancel his visit to Washington for annual meetings of the IMF/World Bank.
He apprised Ms Novelli about the recent positive developments, including issuance of international Sukuk at the lowest coupon rate for Pakistan.
The two leaders discussed how the US could assist Pakistan in improving its labour standards as a means to better market Pakistan’s manufactured products.
Ms Novelli added that the new head of International Labour Organization (ILO) was keen to help Pakistan in this field. The Finance Minister welcomed US offer and said that “we would further coordinate on this subject.”
Ms Novelli also apprised Finance Minister about the progress in the ongoing 28th meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, taking place in Kigali, Rawanda.
The Finance Minister assured Ms Novelli that Pakistan would play a positive role in the meeting, keeping in view its national interests.
