World Bank removes 2 projects from lending plan, puts hold on other 2

[Naveed Yaseen]

* It has 12 projects under consideration for loan programmes 2008-09

By Sajid Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank has removed a $79 million project of Karachi Dockers Labour Board Restructuring from its lending programme and has put on hold the $300 million project for restructuring National Trade Corridor Improvement Programme till macro-economic stability of the country is not restored, a World Bank report said on Tuesday.

The WB has also removed a loan of $300 million of Economic Stabilisation Support Programme from the lending programme for the current fiscal year as this programme, according to the WB was not recommended to the WB board for consideration.

World Bank’s Pakistan country operation report gives complete overview of projects under consideration for loan programmes for the current fiscal year 2008-09.

Higher Education Support Programme: The objective is to support the government of Pakistan’s higher education medium term development framework to foster public private partnership in the delivery of higher education and to provide substantial technical support to the client in developing a reasonable financing plan consistent with the macro-framework of the country. Project preparation is underway for a loan of $100 million (IBRD).

Mineral Sector Technical Assistance: The objective is to implement a strategy to accelerate sustainable mineral sector development by strengthening governance, transparency, and capacity in the management of mineral resources. Project preparation is underway for a loan of $50 million (IDA).

Rural Telecommunications and e-Service: The objectives are to (a) accelerate access to communications in un-served and underserved areas by using targeted subsidies for rural expansion, (b) strengthen legal, policy, regulatory and spectrum management and © monitor functions and expansion of e-services. Negotiations are scheduled for December 2008 for $124 million (IBRD) loan.

Second Sindh Structural Adjustment: The objective is to implement reforms to improve fiscal and financial management, governance, public service delivery, and the state’s regulatory framework. Project preparation is underway for $100 million loan.

Support to Safety Nets: The objectives are to support the effective strengthening of implementation and monitoring mechanisms for delivery of cash transfer programmes. Project preparation is underway for a loan of $50 million (IDA) loan.

Karachi Dockers Labour Board Restructuring: The objective is to make the nation’s ports more competitive by reducing their labour costs and thus the cost for users. This project is no longer in the lending programme.

National Expressways: The objective is to improve trade flows, lower transit costs and times along the programme corridor through the sustainable delivery of a high-speed, safe and reliable access-controlled expressway system. Appraisal scheduled for January 12, 2009 for a loan of $500 million (IBRD).

National Trade Corridor Improvement Programme: The objective is to enhance export competitiveness by reducing the cost of trade and transport logistics and bringing service quality to international standards. This project is put on hold until the macro-economic situation does not improve and the loan is worth $300 million (IBRD).

Trade and Transport Facilitation II: The objectives are to (a) facilitate the implementation of the NTCIP; and (b) facilitate the simplification and modernisation of Pakistan’s international trade procedures and practices. Decision meeting is scheduled for late-September 2008 for $24 million (IDA) loan.

Punjab Large Cities Development Policy: The objective is to promote economic growth in the major cities through strategic planning, integrated infrastructure investments, and efficient urban service delivery. Appraisal is scheduled for late-October, 2008 for $100 million (IBRD) a PHRD grant for preparation is anticipated.

Second Punjab Barrages Rehabilitation and Modern-isation: The objective is to prevent the occurrence of disastrous barrages failure and ensure their sustainable use, providing improved and reliable irrigation and drinking water supplies. Decision meeting is scheduled for June 1, 2009 worth $120 (IBRD).

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