Dubai: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s trip to Davos, Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) will cost US$68,000 which is far less than what had been spent by his predecessors.
Imran will reach Davos on Tuesday on a three-day official visit to attend the Forum. However, his trip will cost only US$68,000 due to austerity measures his government has taken.
Last month, the Press Information Department (PID) in a statement had said the PM’s three-day visit along with his delegation is estimated to cost the national exchequer $68,000. This is far less than what was spent by his predecessors. The visits of former Pakistani Prime Ministers to Davos, including Nawaz Sharif, cost $762,000, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi $561,000 and Yousuf Raza Gilani $459,000.
All the arrangements, agenda and schedule of the PM Imran Khan’s meeting in Davos on the sidelines of the summit have been finalised,ARY reported.
Imran’s Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Zulfi Bukhari and other officials will also accompany in addition to officials from his government.
During his visit, Imran will meet foreign investors to apprise them of investment opportunities in Pakistan.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the invitation-only event, which takes place in the Alpine resort town of Davos, amid tight security. Nearly 3,000 participants from 118 countries are expected to attend the event.
Fifty-three heads of state are on the guest list, including US President Donald Trump, who is expected to address the gathering on January 21.
Britain’s Prince Charles, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Afghanistan’s Ashraf Ghani and many other world leaders are expected to attend,
Leaders of a number of major political and economic organisations will also attend, including Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation Roberto Azevêdo, President of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde, and Secretary-General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg.
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2020, taking place on January 20-24, will focus on establishing stakeholder capitalism as a way of addressing the world’s greatest challenges. Global trade issues, including the US-China dispute, reform of the international taxation regime and other economic challenges weighing on the world economy will form the backdrop to the meeting.
