Pak: Ecnec approves 11 projects

Islamabad: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) has approved eleven projects in infrastructure, education, energy, security and rural uplift sectors in its meeting held recently.

It has given go-ahead for setting up of Pak-China Friendship Centre, costing Rs 2519 million as a gesture to cement the deep-rooted Sino-Pak ties.

A Chinese company has started construction of the centre and Rs 287 million were spent on purchase of land and preliminary works. The centre will include hall, exhibition centre, multipurpose hall, hostel and a library. Basically, the project is being undertaken to promote tourism through projection of culture.

It will also provide opportunities for income generation along-with promoting Pakistani culture through institutional arrangements. Development projects for Sindh: The Ecnec also gave go-ahead for Phase-II of Japanese-assisted rural road construction project under which 500 km rural roads in various districts of Sindh will be constructed 2008 to 2013.

The project will cost Rs 5114 million, of which Japan Bank International Co-operation (JBIC) will provide a loan of Rs 4729 million, whereas Sindh government will spend Rs 385 million. This project is continuation of an agreement between Pakistan and JBIC for construction of 3000 km rural roads in Pakistan.

The project will provide better access to market and alleviate poverty to improve socio economic condition of the poor people. It will also help reduce unemployment and under employment in the rural areas.