ISLAMABAD:  (DNA) – A delegation of Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday held a meeting with Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) team.

According to a statement released by BISP, the ADB delegation Ms. Xiaohong Yang, the country director for Pakistan Resident Mission, discussed the output of different projects based on the prescribed performance indicators and ADB’s portfolio review.

While briefing on the status of Cash transfer, it was shared that at present ADB supports 847, 349 BISP beneficiaries which are around 16% of total beneficiaries, who receive quarterly cash grant. Moreover, BISP poverty survey on National Socio Economic Registry (NSER), has been completed in 14 districts so far and expected to complete by March 2019.

Discussing status under Business Incubation for Self Employment (BISE), graduation model, to accommodate 1,00,000 families in five (05) pilot districts for Rs 50,000- 70,000 per family as income generating grants for start-up business, it was share that BISP is in the process of hiring Partner implementing firm through open competitive bidding process.

On the occasion, BISP Secretary Omar Hamid Khan appraised the ADB delegation about BISP’s initiative on malnutrition and stunted growth, which is a bigger social problem and BISP top priority.

“Pakistan had a stunted growth rate of 44 per cent of total children and 9.6 million children experienced chronic nutrition deprivation in 2016. The new government had also taken notice of the urgency of matter and committed to utilize all resources to reduce the rate of stunted growth in children, which is very encouraging, ” said the BISP secretary.

The Country Director ADB affirmed his support to stand by BISP in social sector reforms and other key poverty reduction endeavors.

“ADB has already allocated $300 Million under its Country Operations Business Plan (COBP), which reflects ADB’s trust and commitment towards this social safety program,”  she said.