Her Majesty Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, who is also UN Secretary General’s Special Advocate (UNSGSA) for Inclusive Finance for Development, called on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at PM House Islamabad today.
While welcoming the Queen, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan values its relations with the Netherlands, both bilaterally and within the context of the European Union. The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation on Her Majesty’s devotion to promoting Financial Inclusion for Development. Queen Maxima’s visit to Pakistan would provide an added stimulus to all stakeholders to achieve the goal with full zeal and spirit, the Prime Minister stated. The Prime Minister said that present government is prioritizing Financial Inclusion as a national objective through the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) and Pakistan is committed to ensure successful implementation of the Strategy.
The Prime Minister stated that the development agenda of the present government is based on the principle of inclusive economic growth and use of digital technology is part of the Financial Inclusion. Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Scheme is yielding significant dividends in encouraging sustainable inclusive growth by investing in the country’s human capital and empowering women, the Prime Minister added.
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands appreciated the successful march of Pakistan’s economy under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and reiterated support for Pakistan’s economic revival. While appreciating Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s efforts in ensuring use of digital technology in Financial Inclusion for Development, the Queen said that greater access of women to Smartphones across the country will help a great deal in empowering women in Pakistan.
The delegation included Ms. Jeannette Seppen, Ambassador of Netherlands to Pakistan, Mr. Neil Buhne, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Herman Quarles van Ufford, Dy. Director General, Ministry of General Affairs Netherlands, Mr. Joep Roest, Advisor at the UNSGSA Office, New York, Mr. Stephen Rasmussen, Head of Tech & Business Model Innovation Team (CGAP), Lt. Col. Joost de Brujin, Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty, Ms. Maliha Hamid Hussain, UNDP Consultant.
Mr. Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance, Ms. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Mr. Tariq Fatemi, SAPM on Foreign Affairs, Ms. Anusha Rehman, Minister f State for IT, Ms. Marvi Memon, Chairperson BISP, Dr. Waqar Masood Khan, Secretary Finance and Mr. Ashraf Wathra, Governor State Bank of Pakistan were also present during the meeting.
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