Brazilian Ambassador in Pakistan Alfredo Leoni called on Benzair Income Support Programme (BISP) Chairman Enver Baig at BISP Secretariat on Tuesday.
During the meeting both the dignitaries shared their views on exchange of technical expertise in the areas of social protection, vocational training, human capital development and food security.
The BISP chairman explained that the institution is in the process of re-visiting and re-designing its graduation schemes in light of the Brazilian social protection model of Bolsa Familia, one of the largest conditional cash transfer programme in the world. He stated that he is looking forward for a long term relationship with Brazil.
The chairman also informed the Brazilian Ambassador that he will be visiting Brazil next month to attend a South-South Forum 2014 organized by the World Bank where BISP would share its knowledge and operational expertise with the international community on targeting, grievance redressal, innovative payment mechanisms, and graduation schemes. Baig would also hold special meetings with senior Brazilian officials from Bolsa Familia during the visit.
The chairman apprised the Brazilian ambassador that he has directions from the prime minister to build strong and enduring relationships with the international community, especially with regards to social protection, and that the visit next month will be highly significant in this regard.
Leoni stated that Brazil is looking forward to build a mutual relationship with Pakistan where both countries will learn from each others’ experiences in different areas including social protection and agriculture. Brazilian Ambassador said that he would invite Brazilian experts of Bolsa Familia to visit BISP later this year.
Leoni and Baig discussed the idea of exchanging experts on social protection between both countries and agreed to finalize the modalities in later meetings. Brazilian envoy applauded the stance of Chairman BISP on the graduation schemes and said that both countries share the same vision of graduating the poor out of poverty.