The World Bank today approved four new projects to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Pakistan:

 

Afghanistan: World Bank Provides Further Support Flagship Rural Development Program 
A US$75 million grant to help improve local governance at grassroots level and build rural infrastructure. The additional grant will support the continuation of Afghanistan’s National Solidarity Program (NSP), which is part of the government’s broader effort to forge national unity and rebuild Afghanistan from the bottom up.

Bangladesh: World Bank to Help Cut Urban Air Pollution 
A US$62.20 million IDA credit designed to improve urban air quality through measures that will cut emissions in key polluting sectors such as transport and brick making. The Clean Air and Sustainable Environment Project will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Environment and Forest to improve air quality monitoring in Bangladesh and through implementation of initiatives in urban transport will provide safe and better mobility in Dhaka. It will also introduce cleaner technologies, in the very polluting brick manufacturing sector. These energy efficient new technologies will reduce energy consumption and lower air pollution, hence improving overall environmental quality.

Pakistan: World Bank Provides Support to Modernize Transport Services
A US$25 million IDA credit to help Pakistan improve its trade and transport logistics. The Second Trade and Transport Facilitation Project will provide technical advisory services to help implement the National Trade Corridor Improvement Program (NTCIP), a comprehensive Government program designed to significantly cut the cost and time of exporting and importing goods. The program encompasses services, infrastructure, reforms and investments in highways, trucking, ports and maritime transport, air transport, railways, and trade facilitation.

Maldives: World Bank Supports Strengthening Pension and Social Protection Systems  
A US$3.8 million credit to assist the Government to revitalize its pension system and provide additional social protection programs under a new implementing authority. The system to be introduced under the Pension and Social Protection Administration Project will strengthen the capacity for implementing the new pension program by: (a) strengthening capacity for policy analysis and legal framework; (b) institution and capacity building for project implementation; and (c) co-financing for the Public Accounting System (PAS).