ISLAMABAD, March 16: Japan on Tuesday pledged $39.7 million grant to Pakistan for improvement of water, environment and health care projects. The Japanese government will give 4 billion yen (about Rs2.1 billion or $37 million)
as non-project grant for balance of payment support in environment and water sectors and another grant of 289 million yen (about Rs153 million or $2.7 million) for improvement of health care system in Balochistan.
The agreement for the two grants were signed by Japanese Ambassador Minoru Shibuya and the secretary, Economic Affairs Division, Dr Waqar Masood Khan here on Tuesday.
The Pakistan government will deposit an amount equivalent to half of the $37 million in rupee terms as a counterpart fund. The two governments agreed that the fund will be utilized for the development of water and environment sectors.
Ambassador Shibuya speaking on the occasion stated that "the water sector is regarded as one of top priority for social and economic development of Pakistan, and the sector is also one of the top priority in Japan's economic cooperation towards Pakistan.
"Obviously, developing additional water resources, and building and rehabilitating irrigation canals and other related facilities are important ingredients of Pakistan's rural development strategy," the ambassador remarked.
Moreover, he added, the availability of safe drinking water is one of the keys to improve the health of the common men, in general, and women, in particular, both in cities and in rural areas.
Mr Shibuya said Japan has made very significant contribution in these areas, and "I wish the counterpart fund will be used for the development of Pakistan's water sector in an efficient and effective manner."
He said environment is another priority of Japan's assistance towards Pakistan. Clean atmosphere and water as well as proper waste management should be ensured for the well being of people, and for their further development.
He hoped that the funds would be utilized for the betterment of the environment and people's welfare. The second grant of Rs153 million ($2.7m) will be utilized for improving the basic health care delivery system in 8 districts of Balochistan, through procurement of necessary equipment for 7 district headquarter hospitals, 22 rural health centres and 175 basic health units.
Keeping in view the geographical vastness of Balochistan and its scattered population, the project was carefully designed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) to ensure its effectiveness and sustainability.
The provision of essential equipments/instruments will help ensure proper diagnosis, treatment and follow up of medical cases at all levels of health care delivery system in the most backward province making its health care services more accessible.
This project is to cover at least 45 per cent of the total population of Balochistan, said Mr Shibuya. He expressed the hope that this project would help Pakistan achieve the targets set under millennium development goals (MDGs), such as a reduction in infant mortality rate by 10 per cent and maternal mortality by 20 per cent.
Japan has provided three similar grants amounting to 14 billion yen ($114 million) since October 2001, and the counterpart funds against each of these grants will be utilized for health, education and poverty reduction.
