ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Asad Umar has directed relevant ministries to expedite work on the memoranda of understandings (MoUs) signed between Riyadh and Islamabad during Saudi Crown Prince’s visit last month.

The MoUs were signed in sectors including oil, alternative energy, minerals and mines.

Chairing a meeting of the steering committee of the Saudi-Pakistani Supreme Coordination Council (SPSCC), the finance minister asked to appoint dedicated focal person for enhanced coordination among the ministries and provincial governments so that the agreed measures could be implemented in a more efficient and swift manner.

Petroleum and Power secretaries apprised the members on the progress made on the MoUs.

Asad directed the Board of Investment and Ministry of Petroleum to expedite consultation with the Government of Balochistan for the development of mining sector in collaboration with foreign investors.

It was decided that the steering committee meeting would be held in the first week of each month to review the implementation status on the MoUs.

The committee will meet after two weeks to discuss and review the proposals to be submitted by the respective ministries.

Published in Dawn, March 26th, 2019