The World Bank is committed to providing all possible technical and financial support to the government of Pakistan in key priority areas, said World Bank Director, Strategy and Operations of the South Asian Region Illango Patchamuthu.
Speaking to the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan at the Ministry of Economic Affairs on Saturday, he reiterated that the World Bank would continue its initiatives for regional connectivity and trade.
“The World Bank has committed more than $5.3 billion for development projects in Afghanistan
in sectors including education, health, agriculture, urban development and infrastructure,” he asserted.
Ayub appreciated the World Bank for its persistent support for socio-economic development of Pakistan as well as for key reform initiatives introduced by the present government.
Meeting on locust program
Ayub also chaired a meeting to review the restructuring of ‘Locust Emergency and Food Security Project’ funded by the World Bank.
The scheme aims to support emergency actions to control the locust outbreak and prevent further spread across Pakistan, said a statement.
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The project will improve early warning systems by strengthening the Food Security and Nutrition Information System (FSNIS), which is a critical decision-making tool to prevent pest outbreak and improve national food security.
The World Bank approved $200 million for this project in July, 2020 and following the measures undertaken by the federal and provincial governments, the spread of locust was controlled successfully.
Now, this project is being restructured to restore livelihoods in locust-affected areas and strengthen Pakistan’s national food security monitoring and management system to prevent any potential threat in future.
Ayub emphasised upon early finalisation of restructuring plan keeping in view the long-term approach.
He added that food security was essential for every country.
On the occasion, Ministry of National Food Security and Research Additional Secretary Rashid Langrial apprised the minister about the status of restructuring.
He further added that the ministry had finished consultations with all the relevant stakeholders including Department of Plant Protection and told Ayub that restricting plan will be finalised shortly.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 29th, 2021.
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