WASHINGTON: Pakistan is gearing up its efforts to raise funds for the construction of the Diamer Bhasha Dam, and, for the purpose, the government is to hold an international conference with the cooperation of various US departments and USAID in autumn.
The event will coincide with the autumn meetings of the IMF and World Bank here in October.USAID official Mark Karns told The News that the idea to hold the conference was to “invite a range of potential fund sources representatives with some interest in South Asia and Pakistan and to have a wide ranging discussion on the project and investment issues.”
The Pakistan embassy would precede the event with a set of meetings with potential fund sources from the financial community. The idea to hold such a meeting was pitched last year by Finance Minister Ishaq Dar. Since then the embassy has engaged itself with the USAID to finalise a list of potential participants. The embassy has also proposed to hold the said conference in New York during the annual United Nations General Assembly session in September so that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could also attend the event. The proposal to change the venue still awaits a nod from Islamabad.
Earlier, the US has had its reservations on the Bhasha Dam project. However, last month the US approved a grant for verifying feasibility and geopolitical studies of the project.The funds amounting to 20 million dollar were to be provided through the USAID. Principal Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Ambassador Elizabeth Jones also met the finance minister last week and reassured that the US was looking forward to host the summit and the event would provide opportunity of investment in the energy sector. http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-262685-Pakistan-to-hold-conference-on-Bhasha-in-US
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