DEVOS, Switzerland: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday reiterated that Pakistan was Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) most enthusiastic supporter in its early stages, and expressed the hope for building a strong and sustained relationship.
In a meeting with the President AIIB Jin Liqun at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, the prime minister invited him to visit Pakistan.
The prime minister said that socio-economic integration and uplift of FATA region was a major priority for the government of Pakistan. He emphasized that funding water storage dams in FATA region would help in reintegrating and uplifting the region seamlessly.
Khaqan Abbasi also sought the support of AIIB for implementation of some of shovel ready projects in water conservation, infrastructure and energy sectors.
The AIIB is a Multilateral Development Bank that provides financing support for infrastructure and regional connectivity. It has a capital of US$ 100 billion and Pakistan is one of the founding members of the bank.
Pakistan has a seat on the Board of Governors and AIIB has co-financed two projects worth US$ 400 million in Pakistan i.e. M-4 Shorkot- Khanewal Section (US$ 100 million) and Tarbella-V extension project (US$ 300 million).
A seven-member delegation of AIIB Board of Directors visited Pakistan in December 2017.
