Pakistan, Canada Discuss Economic Co-Op To Reduce Poverty

    ISLAMABAD, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Canada and Pakistan discussed increased economic cooperation with the objective to support sustainable development in order to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous Pakistan.

    The initiatives were discussed in a meeting between David B. Collins Canadian High Commissioner and Senator Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics here on Tuesday, the News Network International news agency reported.

    The two sides discussed steady increase in the Canadian assistance for water supply, sanitation, health and reproductive health projects to be implement through Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The bilateral 10-year strategy proposed by CIDA focusing on basic education, gender equality and democratic accountability was also discussed at the meeting.

    It was noted that through annual bilateral consultation the two governments would discuss implementation of the Canadian assistance. The consultations are held alternatively in Pakistan and Canada.

    Ishaq Dar reiterated that the Pakistani government would pursue the policy of transparency and was committed to bringing down fiscal deficit and inflation to a manageable level.