World Bank Vice President for South Asia Martin Raiser has declared Punjab a regional champion in taking effective measures for environmental improvement.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and a delegation led by the World Bank regional VP agreed during a meeting to take joint measures for poverty alleviation, improvements in the information technology and infrastructure sectors, solving environmental problems and social development.
VP Martin Raiser said, "The World Bank wants to strengthen its partnership with Pakistan, especially Punjab. The Punjab government has taken exemplary steps in education and IT along with coping with hazards of climate change in the province."
Matters pertaining to accelerating the pace of ongoing World Bank projects in Punjab along with launching new projects were also discussed.
WB Vice President Martin Raiser appreciated the CM's public welfare projects. He said Punjab's projects were in conformity with the World Bank's 'country partnership'.
The delegation offered its complete cooperation for environmental improvement along with improving the sanitation system in the province.
The World Bank delegation appreciated an initiative to merge population welfare with the health department. WB Vice President Martin Raiser expressed hope that the merger would provide better services to the people.
The chief minister appreciated the World Bank's collaboration for the uplift and prosperity of Punjab.
She said, "We seek further assistance by the World Bank in education, health, tourism and environment projects. Special training programmes have been introduced to enable the youth in Punjab to link with the global IT market."
She said the Punjab Clean Air Programme was being launched with the support of the World Bank.
She added, "Electric buses, rickshaws and bikes will be introduced under the Punjab Clean Air Programme. Vehicle Inspection Stations are being established with the support of the World Bank. Eliminating environmental pollution is a matter of survival and support of the World Bank being provided is valuable in this regard. We will continue to collaborate with the World Bank to accelerate the journey of development."
Chinese investment
A Chinese company, BGI Group, has offered a pilot project for rice and corn cultivation in Punjab along with planting GMO cotton to yield more production.
The group will also collaborate for cancer treatment and genetic testing in Punjab.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met BGI Group Chairman Wang Jian and discussed the progress being made on an MoU for cancer treatment and advanced genetic research signed during her recent visit to China.
The Chinese delegation offered the pilot project for rice and corn cultivation in the desert area of Bahawalpur.
The CM welcomed the offer and appointed the provincial agriculture minister as a focal person in this regard.
It was agreed to cultivate GMO cotton with the cooperation of the Chinese group to increase production by 15 per cent.
The chief minister sought a workable plan from the health secretary on the offer of complete collaboration by the Chinese group with regard to cancer treatment and genetic testing in Punjab.
The CM said, "Collaboration between BGI Group and the Punjab government will prove to be a game changer in the health sector. The Punjab government strives to establish the region's most advanced genetic testing laboratory in the province. Modern genetic technology for cancer diagnosis and treatment will be used in Punjab."
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