QUETTA: US Consul General in Karachi Brian Heath held a meeting with Balochistan Assembly Speaker Mir Jan Mohammad Jamali in his chamber on Tuesday.

Mr Heath said on the occasion that socio-economic development of any region was linked with promotion of education. He said the US government would extend cooperation to Balochistan government in bringing peace and prosperity in the province.

The consul general said his country was providing financial assistance for various sectors, including education, health and agriculture, of Balochistan.

He said the US government was aware of devastation caused by floods in eastern Balochistan and it had provided a grant of Rs6 million for the reconstruction of 15 schools which were badly damaged by floods in Jaffarabad and Nasirabad districts over the past few years.

Stressing the need for the promotion of agriculture in Balochistan, Mr Heath said the US government was providing financial assistance for agriculture projects in eight districts of the province.

He said women could play a pivotal role in the development of the country. Under a US-funded project, a number of women in Pishin and other areas of the province were being provided vocational training for stitching, embroidery and other works, he added.

Mr Jamali said Balochistan needed adequate financial support from international donors to improve its education and health sectors.

MEETING WITH QCCI MEMBERS: Also on Tuesday, members of Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (QCCI) hosted a dinner for Mr Heath and members of political and economic section in the US Consulate General in Karachi.

On the occasion, the QCCI members called for enhancing trade and economic ties between Pakistan and the US.

Published in Dawn March 18th , 2015

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