Australia signs agreement to support Pak economic development

Australia today signed a 10-year aid partnership arrangement to support Pakistan's stability and economic growth, the high commission here said.
Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Margaret Adamson and Secretary Economic Affairs Division (EAD), Tariq Bajwa today signed the Australia-Pakistan Aid Partnership Arrangement 2016-2025.
"The arrangement expresses a shared commitment to promote prosperity, reduce poverty and enhance stability in Pakistan," according to statement by the high commission.
It said that the agreement underpinned the continuation of Australia's long-term Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Pakistan, confirming Australia's commitment to support Pakistan in building its economic prosperity and to promote sustainable, equitable development.

"The Australian Government is providing an estimated AUD 47.0 million in total development assistance to Pakistan in 2016-17," it said.
"Australia's aid partnership aligns with and supports Pakistan's development policy, Vision 2025 as well as Australia's own development policy of promoting prosperity, reducing poverty and enhancing stability and is aligned with our mutual international commitments, including on gender equality and human rights," Adamson said.
"The Australia-Pakistan development partnership invests in Pakistan's human capital, as well as building agricultural productivity and the sustainable management of water," Adamson added.
"Australian engagement in the mango value chain has resulted in better mango production, marketing and distribution, strengthening exports of this iconic Pakistan product," she said.