ISLAMABAD, Nov 17: President of the European Commission Mr Rumano Prodi is arriving here next week to discuss increased funding for Pakistan with senior government authorities.

Mr Prodi’s visit has been arranged in view of the immense losses Pakistan is incurring as a result of the Sept 11 terror attack on America, sources said here on Friday.

He would meet ministers for finance, commerce and other senior officials of different ministries. He is also expected to call on President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

Increased funding by both the European Commission and European Union will come up for detailed discussion, as also Pakistan’s request for new market access and reduction in tariffs, the sources said.

Earlier, the EU had indicated to provide additional market access provided Pakistan also allowed the EU countries’ products into the country on relatively reduced tariff.

Meanwhile, the EU has decided to offer Rs860 million (15 million euro) as part of the humanitarian aid for Afghanistan.

According to an announcement made on Friday by the EU office in Islamabad, the new funding decision will support the work of various NGOs and UN agency partners in catering for the basic needs of the affected population.

Resident population and internally displaced people in the drought-stricken areas will be the main beneficiaries of the latest EU aid decision.

In some of the drought-affected provinces of Afghanistan, it is estimated that up to 80 per cent of the inhabitants need almost immediate help.

The EU humanitarian office (ECHO) is supporting four NGO food distribution programmes covering almost 200,000 families and is providing resources for an NGO-run winter needs programmes for 36,000 vulnerable people in Kabul.

The UNICEF operations will provide medical kits in Kabul and cover winter needs in northern Afghanistan.

The aid decision also includes one million euro in support of UNHCR’s ongoing efforts to assist Afghan refugees in neighbouring Pakistan.

Also, 500,000 euro had been earmarked for the UN office for Co-ordination of Humanitarian Aid which has an important role to play in coordinating the work of various humanitarian agencies involved in providing relief.

The new aid decision brings the total amount of EU humanitarian aid committed for Afghan people so far in 2001 to 43.9 million euro.