March 11, 2002:

PRESIDENT:

The President, General Pervez Musharraf has said that the government has provided a conducive policy frame work and support mechanism to encourage private investment in the micro finance sector.

He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the first micro finance Bank in the private sector set up by the Agha Khan rural Support programme and the Agha Khan Fund for Economic Development in Islamabad today.

The President said the establishment of Micro Finance Bank is a major private sector investment in Pakistan and will encourage other domestic and international entrepreneurs to invest in Micro Finance sector. He was confident that this bank will contribute very positively and substantially the access of the poor to micro finance services.

General Pervez Musharraf said to overcome the problem of poverty the government economic revival programme concentrated on agriculture, information technology, small and medium industry and energy sectors.

General Pervez Musharraf appreciated the gesture of Agha Khan Foundation in supporting government's poverty eradication efforts and involvement and commitment that Prince Karim Agha Khan always showed towards Pakistan and its people.

The spiritual head of the Ismalia community Prince Karim Agha Khan on the occasion appreciated the policies of the government to achieve a turn around and managing the economy.

MUSHARRAF:

The President General Pervez Musharraf has said the government is trying to create hubs of tourism in Northern Areas, virgin coastline and Lahore and Karachi.

He said this while formally inaugurating Serena Hotel of Agha Khan Fund for Economic Development and Tourism Promotion Services in Islamabad this evening.

General Pervez Musharraf said Pakistan has lot of tourism potential and the country organized silk route festival in Gilgit, Jashn-e-Baharan in Lahore and Shandur Polo match in Chitral to create tourist attractions.

In Northern Areas four major road projects are in hand linking the Chitral, Gilgit, Kaghan and Skardu with each other.

The President praised Prince Karim Agha Khan for abiding interest in the socio-economic well being of the people of Pakistan. He said the Serena Hotel project is a symbol of trust and confidence of the Prince.

http://radio.gov.pk/1500.html
Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation
1500 Urdu

MARCH 11, 2002

PERVEZ:

The President General Pervez Musharraf has urged the private entities to invest in micro finance sector as the government has created a conducive policy and supporting mechanism in this regard.

He was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the first micro finance Bank in the private sector set up by the Agha Khan rural Support programme and the Agha Khan Fund for Economic Development in Islamabad this morning.

He said the establishment of Micro Finance Bank is a major private sector investment in Pakistan and will encourage other domestic and international entrepreneurs to invest in the Micro Finance sector. He was confident that this bank will contribute very positively and substantially for access of the poor to micro finance services.

He said to overcome this problem the government economic revival programme concentrated on agriculture, information technology, small and medium industry and energy sectors.

General Pervez Musharraf appreciated the gesture of Agha Khan Foundation in supporting government's poverty eradication efforts.

The spiritual head of the Ismalia community Prince Karim Agha Khan who was present on the occasion praised the policies of the government to achieve a turn around and managing the economy.

He offered the government of Pakistan fullest support of his person as well as institutions of Agha Khan Foundation in the development of the country and poverty eradication.

The Bank has been established with an initial paid up capital of five hundred million rupees, which aims at reaching out to those who are currently not able to receive adequate financial services. The Bank will target under served population of the country.