Press Releases 2007
U.S., Pakistan Sign New $750 Million Agreement For FATA Development
September 30, 2007
Islamabad – Senior representatives of the United States and Pakistan
today signed a new multi-year agreement for American people’s
assistance to the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA)
development amounting to $750 million over the next five years. The
United States is providing $105 million this year for the FATA program.
“The
United States Government on behalf of the American people understands
the importance of delivering resources quickly and effectively to bring
essential services to the people of the FATA,” U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) Pakistan Mission Director, Anne
Aarnes, said after signing the bilateral agreement with the Secretary,
Economic Affairs Division, M. Akram Malik.
The USAID Director
said that it is part of a long-term commitment by the United States to
assist the Government of Pakistan in addressing the acute development
needs of the people of this important region of Pakistan.
“We
commend the Government of Pakistan in establishing the Sustainable
Development Plan for the FATA,” USAID’s Aarnes said. “We have crafted
our assistance activities to directly support this plan, and we look
forward to working together closely with FATA officials in its
implementation.”
The new agreement will be used to support
programs in capacity building, livelihoods, agriculture, micro and
small and medium enterprises, health, education and infrastructure
development in the FATA.
“The United States is dedicating
substantial resources to meet the needs of Pakistani people, and to
build services and institutions over the long run,” Ambassador Anne. W.
Patterson said earlier this week. “The Government’s program will
improve health, education, infrastructure, agriculture, governance, and
economic dynamism in the Tribal Areas.”