The World Bank will be assisting Punjab Government in developing large cities to promote economic growth and improve infrastructure, service delivery in major cities of Pakistan, says a press release of World Bank.
In this regard the World Bank and the Government of Pakistan signed a grant agreement on Friday for $750,000 to help finance preparation activities for Punjab Large Cities Development Policy Loan (DPL), administered by World Bank Policy and Human Resource Development (PHRD) program, funded by the Government of Japan.
The loan will be used to assist cities in developing strategic investment plans and improved service delivery in solid waste, urban transport, and strengthen local finances that support infrastructure investment and service delivery.
The Japan HRDF has contributed over $250 million since 2000 in various programs to various countries and is one of the largest funds managed by the World Bank.
The Japan PHRD Fund supports five main programs; The PHRD Technical Assistance (TA) Program, the Joint-Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP), the PHRD-World Bank Institute (WBI) Capacity Development Program, the Japan Staff and Extended Term Consultants (ETC) Program, the Japan-World Bank Partnership Program.
This project''s objective will be met through implementation of three consecutive Development Policy Loans of $100 million each, says a press release of World Bank.
The PHRD grant will support activities required for the preparation of the project and may include preparation of feasibility studies, environmental, social, economic assessments, stakeholder consultations, studies and workshops, surveys, and provision of technical services.