ISLAMABAD, March 31: The World Bank (WB) and top official of the ministry of food will negotiate a 100-million-dollar loan for irrigation and agricultural development in Pakistan on Monday.

Officials told NNI that a WB delegation was scheduled to meet Food Minister Khair Mohammad Junejo and senior officials of the ministry to discuss the proposed assistance of $100 million for agriculture growth.

The WB intends to provide $100 million to Pakistan for developing the irrigation sector, including boosting the production of crops, this year.

The bank’s delegation and the ministry officials have jointly visited Karachi to select areas of cooperation.

The WB and the ministry officials would soon identify new projects in the next few days to utilize the financial assistance.

The World Bank has announced increase in financial assistance for Pakistan from $350 million to $600 million this year.—NNI