USAID Grants Pakistan $445.6 Million over Five-year Period

 

Islamabad: The US Agency for International Development has granted Pakistan $445.6 million over a five-year period through a development objectives assistance agreement, the government said on Wednesday.

The aid will come under the bilateral Development Objectives Assistance Agreement (DOAG) for the socio-economic uplift of Pakistan through multiple initiatives.

In this regard, Secretary Economic Affairs Division Dr Kazim Niaz and USAID Mission Director to Pakistan Reed Aeschliman signed a new five-year bilateral DOAG.

The agreement was signed after a lag of 13 years as the last development partnership agreement, “Pakistan Enhanced Partnership Agreement (PEPA)”, was signed between the two countries in 2010. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and the visiting USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman.

The agreement will be instrumental in the socioeconomic uplift of Pakistan as it would support major areas like Climate-Resilient Economic Growth, Inclusive and Accountable Democratic Governance and a healthier and more educated population.

The development objectives of DOAG are in line with the national developmental vision/objectives of Pakistan.

The agreement was signed after an extensive consultative process with the federal and provincial departments. It marks a renewed effort for transparency and accountability as well as for increasing the involvement of Pakistani organizations in its implementation. – The Express Tribune