October 21, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 8, 1428

WASHINGTON, Oct 20: Heading Pakistan’s delegation at the annual World Bank-IMF meetings, Dr Salman Shah, adviser to the prime minister, met with senior US officials, international finance institution leaders and ministers of several countries and highlighted the country’s economic profile and discussed advancing economic and investment ties.

The top economic managers explored possibilities to further enhance bilateral cooperation at a meeting with US Deputy Secretary Treasury Robert Kimmit. They particularly discussed strengthening economic links between the two countries and further enhancing cooperation between their private sectors.

At a meeting with World Bank Vice-President South Asia, Praful Patel, the delegation reviewed WB-funded portfolio and fast-tracking infrastructure development projects in power and national trade corridor.

The vice-president expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s economic performance.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Managing Director of International Monetary Fund, Murilo Portugal, applauded the positive trend in Pakistan’s stock market at a meeting with the delegation, which reviewed the country’s economic performance.

He particularly acknowledged the fact that the main Karachi Stock Exchange continued to set new records despite some recent developments in the country and the impact of US housing crisis on international markets.

Dr Shah underscored Pakistan’s economic potential at the meetings and said being one of the emerging economies in Asia, the country is committed to sustaining high economic growth.—APP