Public Domain Picture: IMG 2899

2011 May - Since January 2011, USAID’s Development Outreach and Communications Office has been running a 30-minute live Radio talk show in Urdu, “Aap Hum Aur Behtar Zindagi”, (Together, for better future – from the American people) on Thursdays about USAID-funded projects. Aap Hum Aur Behtar Zindagi is broadcast in Urdu on FM 101 through nine stations with the aim to create awareness amongst Pakistani audiences about USG development assistance program in the country. FM 101 is part of the Pakistani Broadcasting Corporation Network, with estimated 70% coverage of the country. Each show features project experts alongside USAID technical and programming staff discussing topics that have included issues as diverse as higher education, earthquake reconstruction and mango production. During this show, the participants answer questions live via phone and SMS from listeners across the country and answer questions directly. Today’s show, on USAID’s initiative to enhance the competitiveness of the mango sector by identifying and removing constraints to investments, sales and job creation through its FIRMS Project, featured Kanwal Bokharey, Economic Growth Advisor with USAID/Pakistan's Economic Growth Office and Farrukh Mehboob Khan, of the FIRMS Project. They spoke in detail about the program objectives and answered live questions. The program witnessed the most live calls and SMS ever received in this series. Callers asked about what would be the economic impact on country’s GDP with this export; whether USAID is running this program in concurrence of GoP and how USAID is offering value chain production to the mango industry.

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Communications, Economicgrowth, Islamabad, Pakistan, Usaid, Usaidislamabad, Usaidpakistan, Usembassy

May 1, 2014