World Bank ratifies $500 million financing for RISE programme.

ISLAMABAD -- The World Banks Board of Executive Directors approved $500 million in financing for the Resilient Institutions for Sustainable Economy programme (RISE) to help Pakistan strengthen fiscal management promote transparency and private sector growth and undertake foundational reforms in the energy sector to transition to low: carbon energy.

These reforms are critical to build fiscal resilience and stimulate recovery from impacts of the COVID: 19 pandemic. The project will be financed by a $250 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) and a $250 million loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The IDA credit has a maturity of 30 years with a 5: year grace period and the IBRD loan has a maturity of 25.5 years and 5.5: year grace period.

Pakistan is continuously receiving foreign loans. The State Bank of Pakistan on Tuesday said that it has received $1.3 billion as GOP loan disbursements from Chinese Banks this week. This brings the total amount of official inflows received since 23rd June 2020 to around $3 billion. Last week Pakistan has received $1.5 billion in COVID: 19 and development policy related assistance from the World Bank Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The $1.5 billion is part of the $3 billion which SBP had received since 23rd June.

Pakistan is suffering a significant fiscal shock from the economic fallout from the pandemic and the increased spending on crisis response including emergency healthcare social protection and business support' said Illango Patchamuthu World Bank Country Director for Pakistan. The RISE program supports the government efforts to achieve macroeconomic stability accelerates long: delayed policy reforms and sets the course for a strong and competitive economy.'

The program supports reforms to broaden the tax base and reduce distortions in tax policy strengthen debt management and transparency and implement urgently needed reforms to...