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IMF programme: Govt will deliver to secure $700m under SBA: Shamshad​

Business Recorder
Sep 29, 2023

ISLAMABAD: The caretaker government will deliver on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme to secure $700 million under the SBA and on external financing requirements, the interim government is working to secure concessional funding from multilaterals (WB, ADB, IsDB) of $6.3 billion and bilateral assistance of around $10 billion from China and KSA as well as oil facility on deferred payment.

While briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Finance presided over by Saleem Mandviwalla, Dr Shamshad Akhtar said structural reforms agreed with the IMF are for the country’s own economic interest and not for the Fund. “We are here for the short-term and want to ensure continuity,” she added.

She explained to the committee that speculation of dollars has been arrested subsequent to the government action to prevent the smuggling of dollars.

However, the minister said that it would be ambitious to bring down the inflation given the increase in the prices of commodities in the global market. Additionally, the caretaker finance minister said that the depreciation of the rupee has been a major reason for record inflation.
 

ADB to provide $2bn in annual assistance to Pakistan for climate resilience over next 3 years

Dawn.com
September 18, 2024

President of Asian Development Bank, Mr Masatsugu Asakawa, called on President Asif Ali Zardari, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on September 17, 2024 — PID



President of Asian Development Bank, Mr Masatsugu Asakawa, called on President Asif Ali Zardari, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, Islamabad on September 17, 2024 — PID

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced that it will provide $2 billion in annual assistance to Pakistan over the next three years to support infrastructure development and climate-resilient initiatives.

In 2022, massive floods triggered by climate change devastated several parts of Pakistan, killing 1,700 people, washing away swathes of agricultural land, affecting 33 million people, and incurring losses worth $30 billion, according to government estimates.

A report by the Policy and Strategy Committee (PSC) and the Oversight Board on Post-Flood Reconstruction Activities showed last week that the country had only received $10.9bn from international development partners out of the total estimated loss for post-flood reconstruction work, leaving a $19.1bn shortfall that has halted the rehabilitation of flood-affected communities in three provinces.
 

Germany pledges €20m for ‘billion tree’ project

Amin Ahmed
November 3, 2024

ECONOMIC Affairs Division Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz and German Development Bank Director Esther Gravenkotter sign the agreement for the second phase of Billion Tree Afforestation Project.—APP



ECONOMIC Affairs Division Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz and German Development Bank Director Esther Gravenkotter sign the agreement for the second phase of Billion Tree Afforestation Project.—APP

ISLAMABAD: Germany will provide 20 million euros to Pakistan for the second phase of ‘Billion Tree Afforestation Support Project’ (BTASP).

An agreement for the financial support was signed in Islamabad on Saturday. Economic Affairs Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz and Director of German Development Bank KfW Esther Gravenkotter signed the agreement.

The first phase of BTASP is already under implementation in partnership with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department.

It will support the protection and sustainable management of forests in KP. The project will focus on new plantation on 10,000 hectares, capacity building of forest departments, and developing a management information system.

The project will support nature-based livelihoods generation geared to alleviate poverty. Moreover, it will promote women’s economic empowerment and participation in decision making processes.
 

Germany pledges €20m for ‘billion tree’ project

Amin Ahmed
November 3, 2024

ECONOMIC Affairs Division Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz and German Development Bank Director Esther Gravenkotter sign the agreement for the second phase of Billion Tree Afforestation Project.—APP



ECONOMIC Affairs Division Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz and German Development Bank Director Esther Gravenkotter sign the agreement for the second phase of Billion Tree Afforestation Project.—APP

ISLAMABAD: Germany will provide 20 million euros to Pakistan for the second phase of ‘Billion Tree Afforestation Support Project’ (BTASP).

An agreement for the financial support was signed in Islamabad on Saturday. Economic Affairs Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz and Director of German Development Bank KfW Esther Gravenkotter signed the agreement.

The first phase of BTASP is already under implementation in partnership with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Climate Change, Forestry, Environment and Wildlife Department.

It will support the protection and sustainable management of forests in KP. The project will focus on new plantation on 10,000 hectares, capacity building of forest departments, and developing a management information system.

The project will support nature-based livelihoods generation geared to alleviate poverty. Moreover, it will promote women’s economic empowerment and participation in decision making processes.
Germany has pledged €20 million to support the second phase of Pakistan's Billion Tree Afforestation Support Project (BTASP). This financial agreement was finalized in Islamabad on November 2, 2024, with the signing conducted by Dr. Kazim Niaz, Pakistan's Economic Affairs Secretary, and Esther Gravenkotter, Director of the German Development Bank (KfW).

Key Details:​

  • Project Objectives: The second phase of BTASP aims to enhance the protection and sustainable management of forests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The project will focus on planting trees across 10,000 hectares, improving the capacity of forest departments, and developing a management information system.
  • Community Impact: In addition to environmental goals, the project is designed to foster nature-based livelihoods that could help alleviate poverty. It also emphasizes women's economic empowerment and their involvement in decision-making processes related to environmental management.
  • Current Phase: The first phase of BTASP is already underway, collaborating with the KP Climate Change, Forestry, Environment, and Wildlife Department. This initial phase has laid the groundwork for further expansion and enhancement of forest management practices in the region.

Conclusion​

Germany's commitment of €20 million reflects a strong partnership between Germany and Pakistan in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. The Billion Tree Afforestation Support Project not only aims to combat deforestation but also seeks to improve local livelihoods and empower communities, particularly women, in environmental stewardship. This initiative is part of Pakistan's broader efforts to enhance its forestry resources and contribute to global climate goals.
 
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