The United States has assured its commitment to continue its cooperation and assistance to Pakistan to ensure progress, prosperity, peace and security in Pakistan and in the region, said acting United States Embassy Mission Deputy Chief Brian Aggeler while addressing a function at local hotel to celebrate the completion of five years contributed of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for over 4,444 projects in different sectors throughout Pakistan.
He said USAID during last five years contributed $92 million for this project towards the development of small and medium size businesses in different areas of Pakistan.
Highlighting various achievements of five-years of the USAID cooperation and assistance in over 4,000 small and medium enterprises in the fields of agricultural, manufacturing and service sectors showed tremendous results. He said over $54 million was witnessed in sales after the USAID cooperation in these sectors while 5,600 new jobs were created, $27 million increased in exports, 11,000 people were trained.
Brian said policies in various sectors were also reformed with the presenting proposals which were accepted by Pakistan government which is testimony to effective partnership between Pakistan and the United States.
He also expressed his deep condolences on the terrorist incident at Army Public School in Peshawar. He said, “We should keep in the victims of this incident that also reminds us to work closely in future to make Pakistan safer.”
Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Dr Muftah Ismail, speaking on the occasion, said that government was determined to improve business friendly atmosphere in the country. He said despite the challenges of extremism, terrorism and load shedding, there has been improvement in all the economic indicators in the country in last one and half year of the present government due to business friendly policies. He said economic growth which was less than three percent has been increased to over four percent, foreign direct investment has shown over 46 percent increase this year as compared to last year.
Dr Muftah Ismail said that the government has put the economy on right track and the business activities have been increased especially in Small and Medium Enterprises.
Representatives of various firms speaking on the occasion expressed their gratitude to USAID for their technical assistance to improve their businesses and earnings.