Pakistan and European Union have signed agreements for three new development programmes with a funding of 87 million Euros to support green and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan.

The agreements were signed by the Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary Ministry of Economic Affairs and Dr Riina Kionka, Ambassador of the European Union in Islamabad on Monday.

With a focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan, the new programmes will improve agricultural value chains, provide access to clean energy and enhance availability of the skilled labour force.

The programmes are part of European Union’s support to Pakistan in the post flood rehabilitation and reconstruction.

These three programmes are designed in close cooperation with the federal and provincial governments and are part of the broader coordination efforts by the EU and its member states materialised through the Team Europe Initiative.

According to the details of the agreements, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rural Economic Transformation Project will be launched with an amount of 17 million Euros.

The programme aims to improve rural households’ income by supporting farmers in the transition towards more sustainable and profitable agriculture, creating employment opportunities and focusing on youth and women.

Energy for Climate Resilience in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be carried out with 30 million Euros.

This programme will create resilient hydropower facilities and support more efficient use of energy for a sustainable transition to renewable energy.

The EU support for sustainable economic development through demand-driven Technical and Vocational Education and Training will be with 40 million Euros.

It will build on the EU’s long-standing support to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training sector in Pakistan.

It will also work on the provision of adequately skilled labour with a focus on environment friendly skills in the agribusiness, water and energy sub-sectors.

Source: Radio Pakistan