Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar on Wednesday briefed Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on sustainable development initiatives.

A delegation from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation met with Caretaker Finance Minister Dr Shamshad Akhtar to discuss advancements in country's Ehsaas Emergency Cash Support System, raising concerns about the finance minister's health.

According to a statement released by the Ministry of Finance, the meeting also explored collaboration for the Social Safety Net Programme and the Digital Pakistan Stock Exchange, along with the possibility of partnering on conditional cash transfers related to climate financing and social payments.

The Caretaker Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar met the Country Lead (Pak), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), Syed Ali Mahmood, and CEO, Karandaaz, Mr Waqas ul Hasan at Finance Divsion today.(1/2) pic.twitter.com/sL0vUYW1ND
— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinistryPak) September 27, 2023

During the discussion, the finance minister updated the delegation on initiatives aimed at sustainable development, investment, and addressing economic challenges, while expressing gratitude for the Foundation's contributions and willingness to cooperate.

The statement noted that authorities presented a comprehensive overview of transactions within the Ehsaas Emergency Cash Support System, which has seen transactions totaling Rs4trillion and registrations of 330 million individuals.

In the course of the meeting, the delegation proposed a partnership to introduce the Digital Public Infrastructure Structure System, and it was agreed that Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) would be signed on this matter in October.

Ms Akhtar emphasised the significance of public-private partnerships in fostering sustainable economic growth.