KARACHI: The Sindh government and the World Bank on Thursday agreed to further expand their Rs840 billion development partnership to health, agriculture, renewable energy and other socio-economic sectors.

Rehabilitation of the 80-year-old Sukkurbarrage, canal lining for water conservation and public transport were some of the major development projects discussed during a meeting between Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and World Bank country director Patchmuthu Illangovan at CM House.

The two sides were assisted by their teams of experts to discuss and finalise the projects to be taken up with World Bank President Dr Jim Yong Kim who is scheduled to arrive here along with his two senior vice presidents on Feb 10.

In his opening remarks, the chief minister said the World Bank had always been supportive to the Sindh government but an increased partnership in the socio-economic sectors including renewable energy, public transport, agriculture and irrigation was the need of the hour. He said: `I am keen toreceive the World Bank President and his team. You are our development partner and his visit would further strengthen the partnership in the supreme interest of the people of Sindh.

Renewable energy Briefing the World Bank team which also included Enrique Blanco Armas and Jaafar Friaa, the chief minister said Sindh had a vast corridor of wind and solar energy. `More than 32 companies have started their projects here. Alternative energy experts have suggested that over 50,000-megawatt electricity can be generated from these corridors located in districts of Thatta, Jamshoro, Sukkur and Benazirabad,` he said. He sought World Bank`s support to the Sindh govern-ment for renewable power generation.

Transport Discussing investment opportunities in the transport sector in Karachi, he said the Sindh and the federal governments launched two separate public transport projects, but even then `more projects are required to cater to the growing needs of this megalopolis`.

Irrigation The chief minister said that the feasibility study of Sukkur Barrage was conducted with World Bank`s support. This barrage had initial life of so years, which it had completed some 30 years ago, he said, explaining that its rehabilitation was long overdue.

Referring to a Rohri canal project, Mr Shah said: `The lining of its small portion produced congenial results.

The canal lining not only reduced water logging level by four to five feet but also saved 250-cusec water, added additional chief secretary for development Aijaz Ali Khan. `We have already been facing water shortage to cultivate more lands, therefore, water conservation is badly needed,` he said.

Senior Minister for Finance, Energy, Development and Irrigation Syed Murad Ali Shah urged the World Bank to assist the Sindh government in canals lining. `We are agro-based economy, therefore, we have to save water and to switch over to the crops which need less water,` he said.

The province also needed WorldBank experts support for the development of the agriculture sector, the chief minister said. `Chillies we grow here are in high demand in India and other countries. We have also dates in abundance in Khairpur district. While we are working to further improve their quality, we exported dates to Korea and the UAE last year,` he said.

Health, e ducation The chief minister also informed the World Bank team that the Sindh government was giving top priority to the education and health sectors. `World Bank projects are under way in the education sector, but we need your help in the health sector too,` he said.

Mr Illangovan, who joined the Islamabad office of the World Bank country director on Sept 30 last year, thanked the Sindh chief minister for the detailed briefing and said there were 13 World Bank projects worthRs840 billion in progress in Sindh.

`This is good partnership but we are keen to expand it further in other sectors also,` he said.

He showed his interest in all the projects mentioned during the briefing and assured the Sindh government that he would support them in the fast-track development. `We are ready to take up your projects in all the sectors, particularly in health, agriculture and renewable energy, he said, adding that sustainable development was needed in the Sindh province.After the meeting, the Sindh government team led by senior minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and World Bank team led by its country director held another session to finalise the projects to be taken up with the World Bank president for assistance. Accepting an invitation by the senior minister, the World Bank team agreed to visit Rohri Canal to see its lining project.