Japan to provide $19m for two projects

ISLAMABAD: Japan on Wednesday signed agreements with Pakistan to provide grant aid of $19 million for energy saving in water supply system and security improvements at Karachi and Qasim ports.
According to the announcement made by Japanese Embassy here on Wednesday, Japan has agreed with Pakistan to implement two grant aid projects approximately worth 2 billion Yens through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The bilateral agreements for “Detailed Design Portion of The Project for Energy Saving in Water Supply System in Lahore” and “The Project for Security Improvement in Karachi Port and Port Qasim of Pakistan” were signed between H.E. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, and Mr. Saleem Sethi, Secretary, Economic Affairs Division (EAD), in the presence of H.E. Mr. Ishaq Dar, Minister of Finance as a witness. On the same occasion, agreements on the details of implementation of these projects were signed between Mr. Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki, Chief Representative of JICA and Mr. Syed Mujtaba Hussain, Joint Secretary of EAD.
The Project ‘Energy Saving in Water Supply System in Lahore’ will contribute to energy saving of the water supply facilities and restoration of water production capacity through replacement of pumping equipment. About 105 deteriorated underground water pumps will be replaced with the latest pumps. In order to improve proper operation and maintenance of tube wells, energy, audit instruments will be introduced.
Both steps will have a synergetic effect on lowering the high energy cost for ‘Water and Sanitation Agency of Lahore.’ The Government of Japan committed in November 2013 that it would provide sufficient public and private finance to developing countries over a period of three years from 2013 to 2015 to support their response to climate change. This project forms a part of this commitment.
Under the Project for Security Improvement in Karachi Port and Port Qasim of Pakistan, three (3) units of gantry type X-ray container inspection equipment are to be introduced in the two ports. In addition to this, one (1) unit of mobile type X-ray container inspection equipment is to be introduced for the backup of the gantry type and other existing X-ray inspection equipment. Also, guidance and training would be provided for operation and maintenance as well as image analysis training for the gantry type X-ray container inspection equipment.
This project will contribute not only to improvement for public security, but also to more effective and efficient customs clearance of container cargoes in accordance with the international standards. Furthermore, the working environment of the custom officers to conduct physical inspections will also be improved.
H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata while speaking at the signing ceremony said, “In meetings held in Tokyo during the official visit of H.E. Mr. Ishaq Dar, Minister of Finance to Japan, the Government of Japan expressed its desire to cooperate with Pakistan in its efforts toward economic and fiscal structural reforms and improvement of the security situation. These two Grant Aid Projects embody our commitment.”
Mr. Mitsuyoshi Kawasaki while expressing his expectation for these projects said “through improvement of security and energy saving, these two projects will contribute to the stability and sustainable development of Pakistan.”