Pakistan, China to explore avenues of collaboration for poverty alleviation

ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Nong Rong and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection Senator Dr Sania Nishtar explored avenues of collaboration for poverty alleviation.

On the cooperation for poverty alleviation in the field of commerce, the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division (PASSD) of the government of Pakistan and the Ministry of Commerce of China are entering a memorandum of understanding.

The MoU has been approved by the Federal Cabinet on October 27, 2021 and will be inked soon between the two countries.

Both leaders discussed the implementation arrangements of the MoU. China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic partners. Under the MoU, both countries will enhance cooperation and exchange of experience, especially in the context of poverty reduction, through leveraging potential for commerce.

The Chinese side will take advantages of commerce in connecting urban and rural areas, linking home and abroad, matching production and marketing, focus on the exchange of experience on developing poverty alleviation industries, creating employment opportunities, promoting the domestic and foreign trade in poverty-stricken areas, and; thus, help eradicate poverty in the strategy of precise poverty alleviation and eradication.

This will help Pakistan expand its vision and innovate its method for poverty alleviation, and promote better economic and social development.

Both countries will also establish a communication mechanism to exchange poverty alleviation experience in the field of commerce under the framework of the China-Pakistan Joint Economic and Trade Committee.

Also, regular exchanges will be organised on the implementation mechanism, management mode and main effectiveness of the commerce-based poverty alleviation to promote programmatic cooperation.

Dr Sania Nishtar appreciated the achievements and experience of China in poverty alleviation.

“Poverty alleviation is the priority of the government of Pakistan. This MoU will enable Pakistan to learn from [the] China’s experience in poverty alleviation and to disseminate lessons from Ehsaas, which is a multi-sectoral programme for alleviating poverty,” she said.

The Chinese ambassador was accompanied by Guwen Liang, the second secretary; Fengguanlei; and Chenyongpei from the commercial section.

Muhammad Ali Shahzada, PASSD secretary; and Saman Muneeb, director of CPEC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, were also present in the meeting.