Islamabad, April 29, 2024_During the month of April, H. E. the Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan Marilina Armellin had the opportunity to introduce herself to H. E. Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, and to H. E. Ahad Khan Cheema, Federal Minister of Economic Affairs. Mr. Francesco Zatta, Head of AICS Islamabad Office, was present.
Few weeks after the establishment of a new government, these meetings represented an important opportunity for the Italian Cooperation to discuss priority topics for Pakistan’s development agenda such as youth employment and environmental safeguarding. Consequences of demographic increasing and infrastructural fragility emerged following 2022 floods have been deeply discussed.
On one hand, Minsiter Hussain highlighted the urgent need to adopt proper actions in the labor market, in the promotion of workers rights and to improve quality in vocational trainings.
Meeting with Minister of Economic Affairs Cheema, on the other hand, allowed the Italian delegation to introduce the whole Italian development programme in Pakistan, including grants and soft loans for a total amount of more than 150 million EURO. Italian commitment in the country has been highly appreciated by the Minister, in particular in the development sectors of rural development and environment.