ADB to provide $0.8 mn for Market infra projects Punjab

Faisalabad: Asian Development Bank will provide US $0.8 million for Market Infrastructure Project Punjab (formerly Rural Business Development Project and Rural Economy Business Development Project), which will support development of an improved agro-marketing network, with infrastructure investment for efficient commodity supply chains, and associated regulatory and product quality improvement.

According to an update project report, the Market Infrastructure Project Punjab outcome will be a project design, agreed by Government that includes Punjab provincial sector strategy to guide a long-term programme for agricultural market infrastructure development; an investment project(s) for ADB financing that is likely to include commodity market infrastructure, cold chain logistic centres, dairy development and agro-industrial parts; associated supporting regulatory and institutional reform; and a project preparation facility for subsequent projects.

During Phase-1, Market Infrastructure Project Punjab will focus on an assessment of agricultural commodity marketing infrastructure and systems, encompassing existing market infrastructure, future growth and demand, and will include sector planning work; and the role of key private sector agents and companies and their value chain operating modalities, feasible options, including innovative approaches for private sector partnerships and financing of public private partnerships and investment prioritisation criteria.

Phase 2 will involve preparation of an investment project (MFF). Meanwhile, ADB will provide US $0.8 million for Sindh Water Resources Development and Management Programme (formerly Sindh Province Water Resource Development).

In an update project report, Arnaud M. Cauchois, Rural Development Specialist, CWAE said that the Sindh Water Resources Development and Management Programme is envisaged to produce an ADB-financed investment programme under the Multitranche Financing Facility (MFF) modality with a focus on water resources infrastructure, institutional strengthening and capacity development.

It is anticipated that this project will improve the availability and productivity of water resources in Pakistan in 7 months availability and productivity of water resources with an emphasis on irrigation infrastructure and water management. Investment programme for water resources improved management and development in Sindh province to be financed under an ADB Multitranche Financing Facility.