Pakistan-Japan Grant Agreement for Flood Protection Project in Sindh

Pakistan and Japan have signed a grant agreement for a project aimed at strengthening flood protection infrastructure in Sindh. Japan will provide a grant of 2.58 billion Japanese yen, equivalent to approximately US$16.4 million, for the project. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the grant is aimed at improving and strengthening flood protection infrastructure in Sindh. The project will also enhance the capacity of communities vulnerable to floods to better cope with natural disasters.

Under the project, the Old Abad Bund, located along the right bank of the Indus River in Larkana, will be rehabilitated and strengthened. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the improvement of the bund will help reduce flood risks and make the existing flood protection system in the area more effective. At a ceremony held in this regard, the Exchange of Notes and Record of Discussion were signed by Secretary Economic Affairs Muhammad Hameer Karim and Japanese Ambassador Akatsuka Shuichi. The grant agreement was signed by Additional Secretary Economic Affairs Sabina Qureshi and Senior Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Sugawara Takayuki.

Addressing the ceremony, Secretary Economic Affairs Muhammad Hameer Karim said that Japan is a long-standing and valued development partner of Pakistan. He appreciated Japan's continued friendship and generous development assistance, saying that Japanese cooperation has been playing an important role in Pakistan's socio-economic development. Muhammad Hameer Karim described Japan's sustained commitment to Pakistan's socio-economic development as highly commendable, saying that Japan's continued development assistance is of great importance to Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Japanese Ambassador Akatsuka Shuichi said that the friendly relations and bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Japan would be further strengthened. He said that the two countries could further promote their partnership in various areas of public welfare and development through mutual cooperation. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the flood protection project in Sindh will not only help strengthen critical protective infrastructure but will also contribute to protecting local communities from potential flood damage and improving their overall capacity to respond to natural disasters.