Pakistan, Gates Foundation agree to deepen cooperation in key development areas

Islamabad (Web Desk): Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb has lauded the Gates Foundation for maintaining its strong partnership with Pakistan and continuing to contribute to the country’s development agenda.

He made these remarks while meeting a senior delegation from the Gates Foundation in Islamabad on Thursday.

The visiting delegation was led by Dr Anita Zaidi, President of the Gender Equality Division, and Ms Kalpana Kochhar, Interim President of the Global Policy and Advocacy Division.

The talks centred on the challenges associated with population growth and its effects on maternal and child healthcare, nutrition, poverty alleviation and girls’ access to education.

Senator Aurangzeb stressed the need to broaden cooperation by benefiting from shared knowledge, technical capabilities and international experience.

He also acknowledged the Foundation’s ongoing involvement in Pakistan, saying its financial assistance, technical expertise and knowledge-sharing could help the country make progress on key development priorities

During the meeting, Ms Kalpana Kochhar provided an overview of the Foundation’s expanding activities in Pakistan, particularly in areas including human capital development, child healthcare, nutrition, maternal health and women’s participation in the economy.

Dr Anita Zaidi briefed the finance minister on the Foundation’s initiatives aimed at improving maternal healthcare and explained how artificial intelligence could be utilised to achieve better health outcomes. 
She also reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to continuing its support for Pakistan.

Representatives of the Gates Foundation welcomed the progress made in Pakistan’s financial sector and expressed their willingness to help improve access to financing, especially for small and medium-sized businesses.

They highlighted the potential of stronger information systems, digital financial footprints and lending based on business cash flows to expand financing opportunities.

The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in human capital development, healthcare, financial inclusion and digital innovation.

Gates Foundation lauds Pakistan’s digital transformation

The Gates Foundation delegation also met Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Thursday, with both sides expressing their commitment to further strengthen collaboration in important technology and development sectors.

During the meeting, Shaza Fatima Khawaja outlined the government’s Digital Nation Pakistan programme, describing it as a key initiative aimed at expanding access to digital opportunities across the country.

She said the programme would support broader digital inclusion, improve the delivery of public services and contribute to the growth of a robust digital economy.

The minister underlined the significance of working with international partners, particularly the Gates Foundation, to advance Pakistan’s efforts towards becoming a digitally empowered country.

The visiting delegation welcomed the progress Pakistan has made in digital transformation in recent years and acknowledged the reforms and projects introduced by the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication.

The two sides agreed to further develop joint efforts in several areas, including artificial intelligence, digital economy, data infrastructure, health technology, financial inclusion, skills development and other technology-based initiatives aimed at supporting national development.