BISP, World Bank discuss fresh initiatives for BISP beneficiaries

F.P Report

Islamabad: A team of World Bank Group comprising of Executive Director Mr. Omar Bougara and Senior Advisor To Executive Director, Mr. Awais Manzur Sumra called on Secretary BISP Mr. Omar Hamid Khan today at BISP Secretariat in the presence of senior BISP officials. Mr. Omar Bougara is from Algeria representing constituency of Afghanistan, Algeria, Ghana, Iran, Morocco, Pakistan and Tunisia on behalf of World Bank. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the progress of various ongoing initiatives of BISP and the design and implementation of new interventions aimed at expanding the scope of the programme for the welfare of BISP beneficiaries.

During the meeting, BISP team gave briefings on different initiatives of the organization.

Secretary BISP urged World Bank team to provide technical and financial assistance in the design and implementation of newly conceived initiative of ‘BISP Endowment Fund’ under which BISP plans to provide development assistance to the beneficiaries in the form of medical support, nutrition and trainings for skill development and entrepreneurship. World Bank Team appreciated the initiative of ‘BISP Endowment Fund’ and ensured their full support in its design and implementation.

The idea of capacity building of BISP employees through local and international trainings also came under discussion. It was deliberated that these trainings would help BISP employees to learn and implement the international best practices in the field of social protection.

For the purpose of knowledge sharing and organizational development, it was discussed that Research Wing of BISP would be strengthened. BISP team proposed that World Bank may assist BISP in this regard by providing relevant human resource and expertise.

World Bank Team expressed great satisfaction over the performance of BISP in the wake of achieved targets. Mr. Omar Bougara ensured that World Bank, being development partner of BISP and having global experience of social protection, would continue providing assistance and expertise in the progress of ongoing initiatives and in the design and implementation of new interventions.