"New JICA" will become one of the world's largest bilateral aid donors with financial resources of 8.5 billion dollars after a merger between Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC).
Takao Kaibara, Resident Representative of JICA Pakistan while talking to the journalists here on Thursday said that the merger would expand the scope of the Agency to provide both technical and grant assistance under one roof.
The Agency is undergoing operational and organisational changes with emphasis on field-based approach particularly for the execution of the projects, decentralisation of staff and delegating greater authority to overseas offices, he added.
Kaibara said that domestic operations of JICA are also being overhauled for active support to field management training programmes for overseas participants each year. JICA has initiated many projects in Pakistan including the establishment of an automatic monitoring system for Nullah Leh that would give immediate information in the days of flood and would warn the authorities about floods 45 minutes ahead of any disaster to undertake evacuation of people living in the catchments area.
JICA has reconstructed 29 gates of Taunsa Barrage to monitor the smooth flow of water. The agency has refurbished all the water treatment plants in the capital that were very outdated and were not working properly. JICA has initiated many programme regarding improvement in basic education and a reduction in various disparities that includes Punjab Literacy Promotion Project, Balochistan Middle Level Education Project and Support for Technical Education and Vocational Training (TEVT) to promote the expansion of the middle class.
Coordinating with other donors, technical co-operation and Grant Aid have been helping in eradicating polio while technical co-operation is being provided in targeting the improvement of the routine immunisation in the NWFP. JICA will carry out until the end of March 2008 formulation of a master plan for improving the water supply and sewerage system of Karachi.
First major Kohat tunnel project in Pakistan was initiated by JICA. It was completed in 2003 to remove the impediments in Indus Highway (N 55). Pakistan Transport Plan Study was conducted in 2006 by JICA and the Ministry of Communication is using the report to develop the future networking of the transport system.
Having suitable climatic conditions, NWFP has a vast potential for agriculture. JICA has been supporting the development of value added products in the field of livestock, aquaculture and fruits processing. Such region specific products will contribute to the entire rural economy by promoting food processing and marketing as well as agricultural production.
LOWER CHENAB CANAL SYSTEM REHABILITATION PROJECT: Since the Indus Irrigation system was constructed a century ago, most of the system has been deteriorated and had low efficiency. Japanese ODA loan assists 12.5 billion yen (approximately US $111.8 million) for the rehabilitation of Chenab Canal System. This project also supports establishment of farmer organisations so that maintenance of the irrigation facilities can be done by themselves.
Load Dispatch System Upgrade Project, which is a good example of the Japanese support in the power sector. Due to the rapid expansion of the electric power system in Pakistan, a more reliable and accurate dispatch system is required. This project aims at upgrading load dispatch system for a stabilised and efficient operation in the electric power system.
Ghazi-Barotha Hydropower Project is another prominent example of Japanese OAD Loan projects co-financed by various donors including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. The project supported to cater for the increasing power demand in Pakistan and change its dependence from thermal power to hydropower. The latest assistance in this section is the Dadu-Khuzdar Transmission System Project, for which the Loan Agreement was concluded in December 2006.
The Japanese Government has also provided assistance for the OAD Loan projects such as rural electrification, national grid line strengthening and the power generation plants, such as Bin Qasim and Jamshoro Thermal Power Plants in the past.
SUPPORT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING SYSTEM: A grant aid project of 11 million dollar was completed in March 2007 aiming at establishing a regional environmental monitoring network in Pakistan. The project ensures effective working of Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) in Pakistan by enhancing their monitoring capacity and secures the scientific knowledge to take administrative measures for improving the quality of deteriorated air and water.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT IN URBAN AREAS: A JICA expert prepared guidelines for the effective Solid Waste Management, after a yearlong association with Pak-EPA. Considering the ground realities and the strategies devised in the past by the Agency, the expert has suggested many ways to achieve efficient and effective solid waste management. The guidelines are available at the PEPA library in Islamabad.
GRANT ASSISTANCE FOR GRASSROOTS HUMAN SECURITY PROJECT (GGP) SCHEME: The GGP programme was initiated in 1989 and so far a sum of 13 million dollar has been extended to 237 development projects across the country. The support is extended to small-scale development projects of non-profit organisations to provide flexible and timely support to various self-help initiatives.
Priority is given to the projects of humanitarian nature such as those concerning primary health, basic education, vocational training/skill development, special education, agriculture, public welfare/basic infrastructure, environment and women-in-development (WID).
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