October 12, 2007	Friday	Ramazan 29, 1428

ISLAMABAD, Oct 11: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday approved various insurance schemes to help farmers and people of low-income groups.

The schemes are being launched by the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) in collaboration with financial institutions to protect the interests of farmers and help the agricultural economy, an official handout issued here said.

The prime minister said the schemes would bring about a positive change in the life of farmers and improve their income prospects.

Speaking at a meeting, the prime minister said the crop insurance scheme offered by the NICL to farmers having taken agriculture loans was an excellent initiative.

The schemes will cover life, accident, health and property.

One of the schemes will secure the interests of low-income groups and protect them from unforeseen happenings.

The prime minister said the schemes would take care of the risks and economic distress of low-income groups in a comprehensive manner.

The meeting also approved an NICL scheme for foreign business travellers, which would cover all risks at a very low premium.

Mr Aziz said the initiative would promote business activities in the country and would help build the confidence of foreign businessmen and promote foreign investments.

Stressing the need for a better marketing and distribution strategy to guarantee success of the schemes, he said the government was aware of the need of low-income groups and would take measures to help them live a better life and improve their standard of living.

The NICL chairman told the meeting that the schemes had been prepared to help build confidence of low-income groups.

Federal Minister for Commerce Humayun Akhtar Khan and Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr Salman Shah attended the meeting.