The Secretary, Economic Affairs Division (EAD) signed the following agreements worth US$530.0 million with the World Bank to support projects in agriculture sector and to improve the financial management and procurement systems for better management and accountability in service delivery for the Health and Education Sectors: 

Public Financial Management and Accountability to Support Service Delivery Program of US$400.0 Million: The objective of the program is to improve public financial management and procurement systems for better management and accountability in service delivery for health and education sectors.

The total cost of the program is US$982.0 million. The World Bank will finance US$400.0 million and the remaining cost will be borne by the Government of Pakistan.  The program will help to remove Public Financial Management bottlenecks and enhance procurement systems through simplified procedures, greater accountability and enhanced transparency for service delivery.

Additional Financing of US$130.0 million for “Punjab Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project (PIAPIP)”: The project aims to improve the productivity of water use in irrigated agriculture, which will translate into greater agricultural output per unit of water used.

The total approved cost of the project is Rs.67,459.0 million including World Bank Loan of Rs.39,187.1 million.  Original loan agreement of US$250.0 million for the project was signed with the World Bank on April 12, 2012. 

The project is contributing to increase agricultural production, employment and incomes, higher living standards and positive environmental outcomes through (a) installation of high efficiency irrigation systems and provision of laser land leveling equipment; (b) improvement of community irrigation systems; (c) introduction of modern technologies and methods in irrigated agriculture, assistance in crop diversification, training, monitoring and evaluation; and (d) project management, construction supervision, quality control and technical assistance.

Mr. Arif Ahmed Khan, Secretary, Economic Affairs Division (EAD) signed the Loan Agreements on behalf of the Government of Pakistan while representative of Government of Punjab signed the project agreement of Irrigated Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project.  Mr. Patchamuthu Illangovan, Country Director, World Bank signed the Agreements on behalf of the World Bank.  

The Secretary, Economic Affairs Division (EAD), thanked the World Bank for extending its continuous support to the Government of Pakistan in its efforts to achieve sustainable economic development in the country.