World Bank aids Pakistan Environment

The Government of Pakistan and the World Bank signed on Saturday an agreement for a US$ 500,000 grant for the development of technical aid for the National Environment Policy.

The policy comes under the World Bank run Policy and Human Resource Development (PHRD) Grants.

Farrakh Qayyum, Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division, and Yusupha B Crookes, Country Director for the World Bank, signed the agreement.

Kamran Lashari, Secretary of Environment, and the Japanese Ambassador Chihiro Atsumi were present.

The Grant will be given by the Government of Japan. It will be administered by the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA).

The purpose of the grant is to develop long-term targets for accelerating cuts in environmental deterioration and steady increases in competitiveness worldwide.

It will also provide the basis for obtaining continuing economic growth. These could be feasibility studies, project management plans, environmental, economic and social, studies, detailed designs, and shareholder consultations.

The grant can also be spent on in-country training, surveys, technical advice, studies and seminars, and goods and services needed for these activities.

Yusupha B Crookes from the World Bank said that US $ 1.8 billion would be used during this financial year as a safety net for health and education.

He added that the World Bank will also give financial help for the Sindh Education Reforms Programme for education in the province.

Farrakh Qayyum, Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division, said that the World Bank funds would assist the reduction of environmental degradation in Pakistan.

He expressed his governments thanks to the Japanese government and the World Bank for the grant