World Bank approves $108m additional financing for KP

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank (WB) has approved additional $108 million financing for Pakistan, aimed at improving rural infrastructure and tourism development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

As per details, the international lender okayed $78 million in additional financing to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Accessibility Project (KPRAP), which seeks to enhance road connectivity, improve access to markets, and create better employment opportunities.

Furthermore, the $30 million was approved for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Integrated Tourism Development Project (KITE) to achieve their objectives in improving access to health and education services, markets, and jobs, in a way that strengthens resilience to natural disasters in the province.

“By rehabilitating critical rural road infrastructure and enhancing disaster preparedness, KPRAP and Kite projects are not only improving access to essential services like health and education, but also fostering climate, economic resilience and creating job opportunities for local communities,” WB Country Director for Pakistan Najy Benhassine said in a news release on Tuesday.

He said the $78m in additional financing for the KPRAP would focus on providing safe and climate-resilient road infrastructure by upgrading and rehabilitating rural roads, thereby improving access to services, including schools, health facilities, and markets.

The project is also supporting safe and affordable transport to school for girls.