Energy saving, ports' security projects Pakistan, Japan sign agreement worth $19 million

The government of Japan has agreed with the government of Pakistan to implement two grant aid projects approximately worth two billion Yen ($19 million) through Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).
The bilateral agreements were signed for detailed design portion of the project for energy saving in water supply system in Lahore and the project for security improvement in Karachi Port and Port Qasim of Pakistan between Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and Saleem Sethi, Secretary Economic Affairs Division (EAD) in the presence of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. On the occasion, agreements on the details of implementation of these projects were signed between Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki, Chief Representative of JICA and Syed Mujtaba Hussain, Joint Secretary of EAD.
The project for energy saving in water supply system in Lahore will contribute to energy saving of the water supply facilities and restoration of water production capacity through replacement of pumping equipment. About 105 deteriorated underground water pumps will be replaced with the latest pumps. In order to improve proper operation and maintenance of tube wells, energy audit instruments will be introduced. Both steps will have a synergetic effect on lowering the high energy cost for Water and Sanitation Agency of Lahore. The government of Japan committed in November 2013 that it would provide 1.6 trillion Yen (approximately 16 billion USD or Rs 1.4 trillion) of public and private finance to developing countries over a period of three years from 2013 to 2015 to support their response to climate change. This project forms a part of this commitment.
Under the project for security improvement in Karachi Port and Port Qasim, three units of gantry type X-ray container inspection equipment are to be introduced in the two ports. In addition to this, one unit of mobile type X-ray container inspection equipment is to be introduced for the backup of the gantry type and other existing X-ray inspection equipment. Also, guidance and training would be provided for operation and maintenance as well as image analysis training for the gantry type X-ray container inspection equipment. This project will contribute not only to improvement for public security, but also to more effective and efficient customs clearance of container cargoes in accordance with the international standards. Furthermore, the working environment of the custom officers to conduct physical inspections will also be improved.
Hiroshi Inomata while speaking at the signing ceremony said that during meetings held in Tokyo on the occasion of official visit of Ishaq Dar to Japan, the government of Japan expressed its desire to cooperate with Pakistan in its efforts toward economic and fiscal structural reforms and improvement of the security situation. These two Grant Aid Projects embody our commitment", he added. Inomata further said that positive feedback was received on the finance minister's visit to Japan but there was need to actively follow-up on the decisions taken during his meeting with Japanese side.
He further denounced acts of terror saying "they were outrageous". He said the Japanese government also had a resolve to help Pakistan in the war on terror. Ambassador said the assistance provided today (security improvement in Karachi, Bin Qasim Ports) would help improve security clearance system at the Karachi and Bin Qasim Ports. This is part of our support to Pakistan to curb terrorism, he added.
Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki said that through improvement of security and energy saving these two projects would contribute to the stability and sustainable development of Pakistan. Ishaq Dar said Pakistan and Japan had a long history of economic co-operation and looking forward to furtherance of this co-operation with enhanced Japanese investment in the country as pledged during his visit to Japan. "The inauguration of state-of-the-art Yamaha motorcycle plant in April would also add another chapter to our economic co-operation", he said.
The minister further said that his visit to Japan was very productive as the senior leadership, including the Japanese Deputy PM and all key institutions like JETRO, JBIC, JICA and CEOs of prominent companies, resolved to have enhanced economic engagement with Pakistan.