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Pakistan Finance Minister, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, met the US Under secretary for Economic, Energy and Agricultural affairs, Robert Hormats at the annual International Monteray Fund-World Bank meeting.
Sheikh shared his ideas with the German and British leaders present at the meeting regarding the government's initiative towards developmental projects that would bring economic stability in the region currently riddled with debt problems.
The meeting brought about a positive result for Pakistan. The German Finance Minister has promised his country's support to develop hydro power projects in Pakistan. While in another meeting, British officials praised Islamabad's commitment to bring economic reforms in the country.
Sheikh had earlier met with the Chinese Finance Minister, who also committed to implement economic partnership agreements. Future scheduled meetings with Sheikh's counterparts of Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Iran and Britain's Minister of International Development is also believed to bring about further positive outcomes.
Sheikh utilized the International Monetary Fund and World Bank meetings to tell the members of the Pakistan-US Business Council that Islamabad is seeking the US private sector's investment in the energy sector to overcome electricity shortages.
According to him, some of the energy projects that would benefit from the US investment are development of massive Thar coal reserves, completion of Diamer-Bhasha Dam and other hydro-electric projects. Hoping good results from the interactions, Pakistan would also try to increase productivity in the agricultural front with the investments.
Husain Haqqani, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United States, spoke about the importance of strengthening trade ties between the two countries. The chairman of Pakistan-US Business Council, Jay Collins, also agreed that economic ties are a crucial aspect to improve strategic relations between the countries.
Holding talks with the US government officials from the department of state and treasury and speaking to USAID officials are also important agendas in the Pakistan's Finance Minister's itinerary.