EU to continue support for development of marginalised areas: ambassador

Opens 130kilowatts micro hydro unit in Swat

MINGORA: Ambassador Jean François Cautain Tuesday said that the European Union (EU) was committed to the development of marginalised areas in Pakistan in conformity with its national policies.

He was addressing a large gathering of communities at Shinko village in Madian valley of Swat district after inaugurating a 130 kilowatts micro hydro unit, which has been built by the communities through the EU-funded PEACE project being implemented across all districts of Malakand division through the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP). The EU ambassador said he was delighted to meet communities who had shown unparalleled resilience in addressing the calamities of flood and conflict.

He said the EU had supported the Peace and Community Driven Local Development (CDLD) projects in the division in conformity with government policies.  The ambassador said the involvement of communities ensured ownership for the project and he had seen good collaboration between civil society, government and local communities to deliver good outcomes.

He said the Peace project was a good example of building voice, promoting peace and solidarity, which were important values for EU. Speaking on the occasion, the local government representatives urged continued assistance for these programmes that helped solve the problems and address needs at the local level.

The ambassador also visited a fruit drying unit run with the local electricity, which had helped increase income from persimmon to almost six times by involving 26 small business groups. Five hundred and thirty households benefit from the hydro project.

Speaking on the occasion, Regional Support Programme Network (RSPN) Chairman Shoaib Sultan Khan thanked the dignitaries for the visit. Member Provincial Assembly Syed Jaffar Shah also welcomed the contribution of EU for the development of far-off areas.