He was talking to Mohsin Khan, the IMF Director who called on him along with a delegation. The IMF team is visiting Pakistan for the annual review of its economy.
The prime minister highlighted the efforts of the government to further reduce poverty by focusing on health care, education, women empowerment and job creation both in rural and urban areas. In rural areas, the major drive for growth continues to be agriculture and in urban areas manufacturing and services sectors, he added.
The prime minister also discussed the overall economic indicators and the initiatives taken in the monetary policy by the State Bank of Pakistan. He said the extra financial impact of the earthquake on government spendings and development programme was absorbed due to improved fiscal situation and increased revenue generation.
The earthquake necessitated tremendous rebuilding of the infrastructure and expenditure on relief and rehabilitation efforts in the earthquake affected areas, he added.
The prime minister said the investment climate in the country is improving and the trend is expected to continue and further accelerate as investors become aware of the medium and long term potential in Pakistan as an investment destination.
Mohsin Khan, Director IMF said that it is gratifying to note that he and his delegation are visiting Pakistan at a time when the prospect of its economy look good as Pakistan is set to achieve its growth target for the year 2006-07. He said that Pakistan's economy is in good health as the Prime Minister's economic team has its act together.
He also expressed the hope that Pakistan's economy will continue to show steady improvement in the coming years to bring about improvement in the life of its people. He said his discussions with the prime minister were fruitful and productive.