Dutch to fund effluent plant

KARACHI: The Netherlands government has extended its funding by 100 percent in setting up a planned combined effluent treatment plant for tanneries and hinted initiatives on projects with other industry in Pakistan.

Anges van Ardene, Netherlands minister for development and co-operation announced the new offer at a joint press conference on Thursday with Gulzar Firoz, chairman Pakistan Tanners Association Environmental Society.

“We have already offered Rs 60 million,” the Dutch minister said. “We are very much inspired by the project and therefore decided to extend our facility and ask the local contributors and authorities to participate so the more projects of such kinds could be initiated.”

She said in terms of number Pakistan was growing at much better pace than the Netherlands as the Dutch economy for the current financial fiscal was estimated to grow at 2.1 percent compared to Pakistan’s over 7 percent growth rate. The Duct minister said during her two-day visit to Pakistan she had meetings with both higher government officials and private sector’s representatives.

“And I am very much impressed with the response from both sides,” said Ms Ardene. “And I hope after detailed negotiations we would be able to initiate some other projects.”

The total cost of the project was Rs 492 million, which was initiated in 1996 in Korangi industrial area to control the pollution caused by tannery industry. —Staff Report

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