ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government is seeking a $50 million loan from World Bank affiliate International Development Association (IDA) for the development of tourism sector in the province.
The provincial government has designed a project which would help strengthen the governance and institution capacity to promote and leverage private participation in order to realise the economic potential of tourism sites for the benefit of the population.
The World Bank has already financed the preparation of a new tourism policy of Punjab and the proposed loan will support the implementation of the policy. The rationale of World Bank engagement is to ensure that local populations get a fair chance to participate in the process through improved service delivery, better skills development opportunities, stronger governance and a more prominent say in local development plans with a special focus on improving female labour force participation.