ISLAMABAD
\nMinistry of Economic Affairs, Economic Affairs Division (EAD), and UNDP Pakistan hosted a policy seminar Wednesday on the \u201cGlobal Economic Situation and Effective Debt Management Strategies\u201d.
\nThe seminar facilitated expert discussion and policy recommendations for Pakistan to effectively respond to its current debt situation and the challenges posed by it. Although Pakistan is the world\u2019s fifth-most populous and lower middle-income country, it aspires to be among the world\u2019s ten largest economies by 2047.
\n However, the country is currently faced with a challenging economic situation, with a debt in excess of PKR 50 trillion (>$250 billion). On the macroeconomic front, Pakistan is faced with daunting challenges, which include rising current account deficits and trade imbalances, depleting foreign exchange reserves, soaring inflation, a narrow tax base, as well as elevated energy prices and subsidies denting the national exchequer.
\nIn this context, the seminar brought together senior government representatives, national economists and subject matter experts, and representatives of Pakistan\u2019s development partners, including multilateral and bilateral donors and U.N. Agencies.
\nThey had a fruitful discussion on Pakistan\u2019s debt challenges and proposed strategic recommendations and sectoral solutions for effective debt management to maintain financial stability and insulate Pakistan\u2019s economy from external shocks.
\nIn his keynote address, Honorable Mr. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, spoke about the importance of managing the country\u2019s debt in a sustainable and growth-prioritizing manner, stating: \u201cHigh international fuel and commodity prices, and a bludgeoning trade deficit have resulted in a significant depreciation of the Pak Rupee against the US Dollar, which in turn contributed to high inflation – forcing one third of the population of Pakistan to live in poverty.
\nIn such a precarious situation, the incumbent Government has to manage debt with a vision for economic recovery, to improve the macroeconomic indicators along with focusing on the vulnerable segments of society.\u201d Other officials included Mr. Mian Asad Hayaud Din, Secretary, Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs; Mr. Awais Mansoor Sumra, Special Secretary, Finance Division; Ms. Anita Turab, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs; senior officials from other Ministries and line departments; Ms. Aliona Niculita, Officer In-Charge, UNDP Pakistan; and Mr. Swarnim Wagle, Chief Economic Advisor at UNDP Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific.
\nSecretary, Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs, Mr. Mian Asad Hayaud Din, said at the occasion, \u201cThere is a greater need to shift towards an approach of achieving fiscal solvency, and moving from an asset creation approach to an asset management approach for managing debt effectively and achieving economic growth\u201d.
\nMs. Aliona Niculita Officer In-Charge, UNDP Pakistan expanded on the theme, stating, \u201cSince 2018, UNDP Pakistan has undertaken policy advisory initiatives for the Government of Pakistan on debt management and green and innovative financing solutions, to enable green recovery and accelerate natural capital restoration.
\nIn fact, UNDP has aligned its programming interventions with emerging global needs and national priorities, recognizing the importance of investments in human capital and aligning the national economic policies to the globally accredited Financing for Development paradigm\u201d.
\nThe policy seminar also included a global and regional overview on the theme by UNDP RBAP\u2019s Mr. Swarnim Wagle, who stated, \u201cThe hyperinflation, external debt, and the inability to pay lead to twin crisis situation – a combination of both liquidity and solvency crisis. Sri Lanka is the third country to default after Zambia and Lebanon since the onset of the COVID pandemic. Other countries may learn from these cases.\u201d
\nSenior economists and experts participated in a panel discussion at the seminar, including Dr. Syed Akbar Zaidi, Dr. Pervez Tahir, Mr. Haroon Sharif, Dr. Salman Shah, Dr. Shahida Wizarat. Dr. Jehanzeb Khan, and Mr. Sajid Amin.
\nThe panel explored a number of priority topics, such as the need for rethinking fiscal consolidation and role of provinces in macroeconomic stabilization efforts under the current scenario; challenges and potential solutions for managing the energy sector and circular debt; impact of domestic loans on debt sustainability and economic growth; existing policy gaps, structural vulnerabilities and exposure to shocks; and potential opportunities and way forward for developing economies like Pakistan.
\nThe discussion also revolved around the need to have diversification in debt financing instruments; creating enabling environments for public-private partnerships to enable market-based economies; enhancing federal and provincial coordination; and moving from asset creation to an asset management approach.
\nThere was a consensus that that current economic model has not been optimal for the country, and that the four-to-five-decade old challenges of Pakistan\u2019s economic situation require modern day, market-oriented solutions for inclusive and sustainable growth.
\nTo bolster discussion on Pakistan\u2019s debt management portfolio and green and innovative financing solutions, UNDP Pakistan also released its quarterly publication the Development Advocate Pakistan\u2019s June 2022 edition at the seminar, on the topic of \u201cInclusive Growth in Times of Uncertainty\u201d. UNDP also launched an advocacy brief on \u201cFinancing Climate Action in Pakistan: Solutions and Way Forward\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD Ministry of Economic Affairs, Economic Affairs Division (EAD), and UNDP Pakistan hosted a policy seminar Wednesday on the \u201cGlobal Economic Situation and Effective Debt Management Strategies\u201d. The seminar facilitated expert discussion and policy recommendations for Pakistan to effectively respond to its current debt situation and the challenges posed by it. Although Pakistan is the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-267510","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n