The World Bank has granted approval for $149.7 million in financing for two projects in Pakistan, aimed at enhancing the digital economy and bolstering flood resilience.
The allocated funds, totaling $78 million, are designated for the Digital Economy Enhancement Project. This initiative is anticipated to bolster financial management through technology-driven solutions and data-informed decision-making. Additionally, investment in the digital economy is poised to streamline public services, enhance transparency, and stimulate economic growth.
Concurrently, a $71.7 million allocation has been earmarked for the Sindh Barrages Improvement Project, which aims to fortify flood resilience measures. Last July, the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved $100 million for the Punjab Family Planning Program, geared towards increasing the utilization of family planning services in Punjab province, Pakistan.
Najy Benhassine, World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, emphasized the significance of the program in achieving universal access to reproductive healthcare and raising family planning usage to 60 percent by 2030. He underscored the critical role of addressing population growth rates, which impede development, hinder human capital accumulation, and perpetuate poverty.
The Punjab Family Planning Program, as outlined in the statement, will ensure timely access to quality family planning services free of charge. It also aims to institutionalize quality care across the family planning services delivery system. The program will scale up innovative approaches, including clinical franchising, voucher schemes, and family planning counseling through community leaders, which have demonstrated promising outcomes in various districts of Punjab.
